On this Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, we read this message from Jesus:
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct” (Matthew 16: 24-27).
Jesus’ message reminds us of the fleeting nature of this world and the never-ending life to come. Our “crosses” refer to the daily problems and challenges and responsibilities we have in this life. Our task, as Christians, are to approach these “crosses” with graciousness, doing the best we can with what we have at our disposal, and always remembering to ask God to help us on our journey.
The above cross is from the altar area of the Church of Santa Cruz in the Reitoca, FM, Honduras community of Santa Cruz.