Take Up Your Cross And Follow Him

“Whatever troubles may be before you, accept them cheerfully, remembering who you are trying to follow.”
–St. Mary MacKillop

My Dearest Friends in Christ,

May the peace of Christ, Who willingly embraced sufferings to save us from sin and death inspire us to accept our sufferings and to take up our crosses through the power of His Word, which inspires our lives.

Pain and Suffering A Reality Of Human Existence

In my book, Pain A Reality of Human Existence(2006), it was clearly stated that although humans do everything possible to avoid pain and suffering, it remains a vital part of our human life. It brings out the best and the worst in us. It is salvific when as Christians we understand that it is a way of improving humans by calling forth the exercise of such moral virtues as patience, endurance, fortitude, and courage.

Anyone who has experienced pain or suffering can understand better why Peter reacted the way he did to Jesus, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” His reaction was quite human and perhaps motivated by love because suffering is not an experience anyone would desire for someone else. But Christ’s response to Peter’s reaction was a bit unwelcoming at face value. Still, it reveals the fullness of the Divine intention and the salvific mission of Christ that redefined our Christian understanding and attitude to suffering.

The Lamentations of Jeremiah and the Call To Never Give Up

Jeremiah in the first reading laments that the Word of the Lord has brought him derision and reproach all day. These laments reveal something of the turmoil he was experiencing within himself. He had not wanted the job in the first place (Jer. 1:6) and claimed the Lord had seduced him into it (Jer. 20:7). His own family and friends had turned against him (Jer. 11:19,21). He found himself alone, unable to enjoy good times (Jer. 15:17). He went so far as to wish he’d never been born (Jer. 20:14-18). He felt like not preaching anymore because of the persecution and suffering he had to endure for the sake of his prophetic vocation. Yet he realized deep within himself that this mission to condemn the idolatry of his generation and bring them back to God burned within him like a fire. We often quit when we can no longer stand the heat of the fire in our vocations as Christians. We give up easily when the suffering becomes unbearable in our estimation or experience. We give up courage, endurance, and patience. Do we still pray for fortitude? Do you still believe that God does not give up on those who suffer for the sake of righteousness? He promised Jeremiah His abiding presence and never abandoned him. “He will never let the trial surpass the strength He gives you, and at the very moment you think yourself overwhelmed by sorrow, He will lift you and give you peace.” –St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

A lot of evils are happening in our society because no one wants to face persecution as Jeremiah did. We all desire pleasure and comfort and that is why we have sacrificed the Cross of Christ for the pleasure of the world. If Jeremiah had not followed his prophetic call because of persecution and suffering, what do you think would have become of the people he was called to bring back to God? When there is no moral voice to condemn evil, it becomes institutionalized and endemic.

Jesus Embraced Suffering To Give Us New Life

In the Gospel, Jesus revealed His mission of suffering and death for man’s salvation from sin and death. He called Peter ” Satan” for wanting to be an obstacle when Peter unwittingly opposed Jesus’ suffering and death. That was a strong rebuke from Jesus, but it was entirely appropriate. Jesus asked Peter to get behind Him. Origen ( a theologian who died in 254 AD) suggested that Jesus was saying to Peter, “Peter, your place is behind me, not in front of me. It is your place to follow me in the way I choose, not to try to lead me in the way you would like me to go.” –Barclay

Like any other human being, Peter does not understand why Jesus has to suffer. Why did Jesus choose the part of suffering to redeem man when He could have used any other means? Jesus wasn’t merely sympathetic to human misery and decadence brought about by sin. As one Father of the Church said, It is fitting that Jesus has to identify with human nature to redeem it. So He embraced human suffering to pay the price for our sins. Hence by His wounds, you were healed. (cf. Isaiah 53:5) Jesus transformed human suffering into something salvific. Jesus declares that discipleship comes with a cost, a cross, with its emphasis on trials and troubles, as we see in the case of Jeremiah 20:7-13. Are you ready to deny yourself and embrace the cross? “Never forget that the road to Heaven is the Way of the Cross. Jesus has called us to follow Him, bearing the Cross as He did.” –St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

Self Denial: The Christians Way to Freedom, Salvation and Life

Denying self is not the same as self-denial. We practice self-denial when, for a good purpose, we occasionally give up things or activities. But we deny ourselves when we surrender ourselves to Christ and are determined to obey His will.

Human nature wants to indulge self, not deny self. Death to self is always terrible, and if we expect it to be a pleasant or mild experience, we will often be disillusioned. Death to self is the radical command of the Christian life. To take up your cross meant one thing: you were going to die a certain death, and your only hope was in resurrection power.

We Must Not Avoid Suffering At All Costs

Suffering and pain have become for Christians, not something to be avoided at all cost ( not even through euthanasia ) but something even though undesirable, that has to be embraced with joy for the love of God and others. Many gave their lives for others, as did Maximillian Kolbe. Many go hungry to feed others. Many leaders deprive themselves of luxuries to provide for the citizens. Suffering is something we can joyfully embrace to serve others. When we desire pleasures then we starve others to feed our pockets.

Avoiding the walk to death with Jesus means that we may gain the whole world, and end up losing everything. Amazingly, the people who live this way, following Jesus, are the ones who are genuinely happy. Giving our lives to Jesus all the way, and living as an other-centered person does not take away from our lives, it adds to it.

Conclusion

May you never conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, knowing that it is God’s Will that we must follow Him on the path of the cross.

May God give us the grace to embrace our crosses/our sufferings, for His sake and others. May we at the end of this earthly life gain eternal happiness in Heaven.

I keep you and your family always in my prayers. ©Clem C. Aladi (2024)