Carry your own cross
September 4, 2016
by Andrew Domingo
by Andrew Domingo
Poster by Kenichi Tigas
DISCIPLESHIP. Today’s gospel reading might have startled us on Jesus’ demands for discipleship. He tells us: “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”
One may find this passage contradictory to His central teaching of love because He seems to imply that we should hate our family and even our own selves as a condition on following Him.
However, what Jesus really means is that His disciples should dedicate themselves fully to Him. Their special commitment to Christ should transcend all other relationships, connections, and desires. In other words, it is a matter of putting Jesus first in one’s life.
In the last part of the gospel, Jesus adds the renunciation of all possessions as a vital part of discipleship in Him. This does not mean that we should sell everything, become beggars, and that only poor people are worthy of being with Jesus.
We are instead reminded that Jesus identifies His disciples not by worldly factors such as wealth and background, but by our actions and dispositions in life and by our firm commitment to Him.
The disciples of Jesus must also carry their crosses as they follow him. We are not following Him without trials and difficulties. But we are assured that He is accompanying us all throughout. We may sometimes be tempted to traverse through an easier way out of a problem but may not be necessarily the better way.
We must put our trust in our leader as we journey together in life.
Sometimes we tell ourselves that we are faithful disciples of Christ Jesus. It is worth reflecting how in our own lives we truly practice and show the teachings and examples of Christ. There are times wherein we go to pray only when we are troubled, suffering, and in need of consolation, solution, and a miracle.
He is with us amidst these difficulties. But He’s also with us in times of joy and gladness. We cannot be part-time and lax disciples.
In the Disney animated film, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which was based on Victor Hugo’s novel of the same name, Clopin the gypsie asks the audience: “Who is the monster and who is the man?” because Quasimodo, the hunchback, who is considered to be a monster by the society is in fact more becoming of a man than Judge Claude Frollo who is in turn acting like a monster.
We must ask ourselves, “Who is the true disciple of Christ and who is not?”
In this we pray:
God of love, source of mercy and compassion, weave your dream for the world into the fabric of our lives.
Remove the scales from our eyes and lift the indifference from our hearts, so that we may see your vision –
a new reign of justice and compassion that will renew the earth. Transform our lives, so that we may accomplish your purpose. Anoint us with your spirit of love that we might bring good news to the oppressed, bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim release to the captive. Give us a new urgency and a new commitment to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, and visit those who live in isolation. Help us to reach out to those
whom no one else will touch, to accept the unacceptable, and to embrace the enemy. Surround us with your love,
fill us with your grace, and strengthen us for your service. Empower us to respond to the call of Jesus – to deny ourselves, to take up our crosses, and to follow. Make us your disciples. Amen. ---Kurt Struckmeyer
Have a blessed week ahead, Artlets!
Prayer from: http://www.followingjesus.org/prayer-for-discipleship/
One may find this passage contradictory to His central teaching of love because He seems to imply that we should hate our family and even our own selves as a condition on following Him.
However, what Jesus really means is that His disciples should dedicate themselves fully to Him. Their special commitment to Christ should transcend all other relationships, connections, and desires. In other words, it is a matter of putting Jesus first in one’s life.
In the last part of the gospel, Jesus adds the renunciation of all possessions as a vital part of discipleship in Him. This does not mean that we should sell everything, become beggars, and that only poor people are worthy of being with Jesus.
We are instead reminded that Jesus identifies His disciples not by worldly factors such as wealth and background, but by our actions and dispositions in life and by our firm commitment to Him.
The disciples of Jesus must also carry their crosses as they follow him. We are not following Him without trials and difficulties. But we are assured that He is accompanying us all throughout. We may sometimes be tempted to traverse through an easier way out of a problem but may not be necessarily the better way.
We must put our trust in our leader as we journey together in life.
Sometimes we tell ourselves that we are faithful disciples of Christ Jesus. It is worth reflecting how in our own lives we truly practice and show the teachings and examples of Christ. There are times wherein we go to pray only when we are troubled, suffering, and in need of consolation, solution, and a miracle.
He is with us amidst these difficulties. But He’s also with us in times of joy and gladness. We cannot be part-time and lax disciples.
In the Disney animated film, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which was based on Victor Hugo’s novel of the same name, Clopin the gypsie asks the audience: “Who is the monster and who is the man?” because Quasimodo, the hunchback, who is considered to be a monster by the society is in fact more becoming of a man than Judge Claude Frollo who is in turn acting like a monster.
We must ask ourselves, “Who is the true disciple of Christ and who is not?”
In this we pray:
God of love, source of mercy and compassion, weave your dream for the world into the fabric of our lives.
Remove the scales from our eyes and lift the indifference from our hearts, so that we may see your vision –
a new reign of justice and compassion that will renew the earth. Transform our lives, so that we may accomplish your purpose. Anoint us with your spirit of love that we might bring good news to the oppressed, bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim release to the captive. Give us a new urgency and a new commitment to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, and visit those who live in isolation. Help us to reach out to those
whom no one else will touch, to accept the unacceptable, and to embrace the enemy. Surround us with your love,
fill us with your grace, and strengthen us for your service. Empower us to respond to the call of Jesus – to deny ourselves, to take up our crosses, and to follow. Make us your disciples. Amen. ---Kurt Struckmeyer
Have a blessed week ahead, Artlets!
Prayer from: http://www.followingjesus.org/prayer-for-discipleship/
Andrew Domingo is the Assistant to the Vice President of the Catechetical
Section of the Pax Romana AB Unit. He is currently on his third year of AB Philosophy
Section of the Pax Romana AB Unit. He is currently on his third year of AB Philosophy