Friday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Friday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time

MT 16:24-28

"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,

take up his cross and follow me."

We are living in a world that is trying to find what is pleasant, comfortable and what is enjoyable. Many want to escape crosses and do not know the true meaning of the cross.

And when we have difficulties and sufferings in life, we ask questions like, why do I have to take crosses? Why do I have to suffer? Why the innocent people have to suffer?

I had many opportunities to visit patients in the hospital and heard many people asking those questions. And the only thing I could say at that time was, "I do not know."

I think the right question we should ask when we carry a cross or suffer is, "what is the meaning of the cross? Of sufferings?

If we understand the cross's true meaning, our sufferings and difficulties will be more acceptable.

When I have a meeting with a nurse who takes care of those suffering from cancer and terminal illness, I ask her what the main difference between those who have faith and those who do not have faith in facing pains or suffering is. She told me, “With those who do not have faith, it is extremely difficult to accept, and the pain they must suffer is severe. And many feel despair. But with those who have faith, many accept suffering in the light of faith, and it seems the pains they suffer are lesser. Even if they suffer and may die soon, they truly hope that suffering and death have more meaning than that. And many believe that it is the way to their salvation.

Jesus has called each of us to deny ourselves, take the cross and follow him in different ways, and our crosses may be the things we do not like, such as deceases, pains, and people who are not comfortable. All of these have transcendent meanings.

As disciples of the Lord, we have no other way, but the way of the cross as Saint Paul said: I know only Christ who was crucified, but he rose again so that we might live. So even though we carry the cross on our shoulders, our eyes are always fixed on heaven."

And it is important to know that we are not carrying crosses alone, know how difficult they are. He understands every cross we have because he carried and overcame the cross.

Eternal life and glory are the ends of the way of the cross. Because suffering is the way to the light, suffering is the way to glory, and the cross is the way to resurrection.

May God bless us all.