Let him take up his Cross and follow me.
In this Week’s Readings we can think about: The cross is always seen in light of the resurrection. Without the resurrection, the cross remains in darkness. Also, there is no resurrection without the cross. The cross of Christ, therefore, stands with the resurrection at the center of the good news we believe in. Together, they tell us how deeply God loves us. They evangelize us. And, besides the cross of Jesus, the crosses of his members can evangelize us, too. Our lives can be transformed by the suffering love of Jesus’ followers, who fill up his sufferings in their bodies: the sick, who bear illness with courage; the grieving, who hope against hope; the dying, who clearly trust in the resurrection. The “foolishness” of the cross will be credible on our lips only if we have learned its “wisdom” from sharing in the suffering of our brothers and sisters.
Discussion point: How have you been evangelized by others who bear their cross in faith and hope?
Closing Prayer: Jesus, you became obedient even unto death, death on the cross, may we help to carry the burdens of others. Jesus, you carried your cross with faith and trust, may we patiently endure our own times of suffering.




