Friday, September 28, 2012 by Food for Thought
FirstReading: Eccl 3:1-11
Psalm: Ps 114:1b An 2abc, 3-4
Gospel: Lk 9:18-22
Jesus told his disciples that the Messiah must suffer and die in order that God’s work of redemption might be accomplished. How scandalized the disciples were when they heard this.
We are no different from the apostles. How many of us complain and feel shocked when we see fervent Christian friends and relatives undergoing moral suffering, sickness and failure in business? We say, they don’t deserve it. How can God do this? How different really are God’s thoughts and ways from our thoughts and ways?
Through humiliation, suffering, and death on the cross Jesus broke the powers of sin and death and won for us eternal life and true freedom. Every Christian must follow the same road which Jesus traveled. No slave is greater than his master. If we want to share in Christ’s victory, then we must also take up our cross and follow him where he leads us.
What is the “cross” that you and I must take up each day? How do we follow Jesus when the road is dark and sailing is rough? It is in these trying moments that Jesus reveals his love and solicitude for
us. Who do you say he is? Is he your Companion? Friend? Savior? Anchor? Light?
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