Today’s Gospel reading stresses two key aspects of the following of Christ: first, “Whoever does not follow me carrying his own cross cannot be my disciple,” and secondly, “none of you may become my disciple if he does not give up everything he has.”
In essence both these statements affirm the love, generosity and trust needed to be a true follower of Christ. A true follower of Christ follows the lead and example of Christ the leader and master: of the Christ who carried his cross and died on the cross for our sake, of the Christ who gave up the majesty and power of his divinity to become man, like us in all things, except sin.
If we truly learn to carry our cross, whatever it may be, be it a person or a difficult situation or tragedy, we are closer to the Lord. If we learn to accept hardship and suffering because Jesus endured hardship and suffering for us, we show that we are true followers of Jesus. We hope we could also be of help to others in carrying and managing their own crosses.
The following of Jesus means putting him and his concerns first and foremost above our own concerns and very selves: this is the courage and generosity of giving up everything we have for the sake of Jesus and his kingdom.
To be true followers of Christ all Christians are called to put him first, to “give up everything for Christ’s sake.”
