CARRYING THE CROSS. (Homily for FRIDAY of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time).

Bible Study: Deuteronomy 4:32-40. / Mark 16:24-38.

In our Gospel passage this morning, Jesus asks a fundamental question; one that we should never stop asking ourselves in our journey of faith: What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?

As the saying goes: “You cannot eat your cake and have it.” Time and time again, we are always going to be faced with choices; either to disobey God’s commandments and have the good things of this world or to sacrifice something here on earth so as to keep his commandments.

In the first reading today, Moses says to us: “You must keep his statutes and commandments which I enjoin on you today, that you and your children after you may prosper, and that you may have long life on the land which the LORD, your God, is giving you forever.” For the people of Israel, that land was Canaan – the Promised Land, but for us today, we know that the land that awaits us is Heaven.

There is a better life that awaits us. Compared to this very life now, it is like we are simply dreaming right now. Just look at all the beautiful things on earth, the very best things life, the things which you aspire to have or become, none of these things is worth the glory of heaven; none is worth dying for, none is worth our souls. Naked we came to meet them, naked we shall leave them someday.  

Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us. “In my father’s house, there are many mansions.” (John 14:2). And he says to us today “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” (Mark 16:24) Are you ready to follow? What are those things you have to deny yourself of? What constitutes a cross for you as far as your Christian life is concerned? 

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus, I take my daily cross, I welcome the monotony, discomfort, disappointment, tensions, set-backs, trials that will come to me. Help me to let go of my life daily so as to be happily come into your kingdom. Amen.

Good morning. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you.