TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Take Up Your Cross

     In today's gospel, Jesus tells the crowd and his disciples, "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 and that of the gospel will save it" (Mark 8:34-35).

     These are strong words that invite us to evaluate our life journey. They point out that following Christ will challenge us. I often ask myself, "How am I carrying my cross today?" I have good days when things go smoothly; I have challenging days when I find myself praying and asking God for the grace to make it through another difficult situation. I like to think I am embracing my cross with courage each day, and it helps when I recall the words of the Prophet Isaiah: "The Lord God is my help, therefore I am not disgraced." We place our trust in God who is our strength and our shield. I firmly believe that God hears my prayers and answers them.

     Our responsorial psalm today (Psalm 116) gives us powerful words of comfort. Each of us is carrying a cross. How good and comforting it is to know that "God hears our voices in supplication." We trust that our God is gracious and merciful. When we have that rough day at work or perhaps hear disheartening news from a doctor or friend, God is there for us. God is in the calm demeanor of a co-worker or in the hug or reassurance from a relative or friend. We must have faith to call on Him. God will hear our prayers.

     As we carry our crosses, each day is an opportunity to give our best to God. For me, I tell myself, "I will keep God in my heart; I will interact with each person I encounter as if I am meeting Jesus." I begin my day with a morning offering prayer. However, too often, it's not long after that that I find myself falling short of the goal of recognizing the presence of God putting the day in His hands. I can get lost in my own way of thinking and in what I need to do in the moment.  Then, I take a step back, again remember Isaiah’s message that “The Lord God is my help,” begin with prayer again, and do my best to serve God and those I encounter.

--Cathy Wanner

Send Us Forth are reflections written by St. Matthew parishioners and friends.