Deuteronomy 30:15–20; Luke 9:22–25

Jesus tells His disciples that He must suffer, be rejected, be killed, and be raised. Then He says, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” At first, those words can sound heavy. Take up your cross. Lose your life. It sounds like loss. It sounds like cost. 

 
But the difference for us is this: Jesus accepted His cross so that we do not have to carry ours alone. He carried it willingly, so that when we reached this moment, we wouldn’t have to bear it alone. 
 
Our crosses may not look like Calvary. They may look like a chronic illness. A broken relationship. Financial pressure. Anxiety that will not quiet. A vocation that feels unclear. A season of dryness in prayer. Being misunderstood. Feeling rejected. Wanting relief that does not come quickly. 
 
Jesus does not stand at a distance and say, "carry it better." He steps under the weight with us. He strengthens us through His Spirit. He gives us the Church. He gives us the sacraments. He gives us Himself. 
 
To deny ourselves is not to erase who we are. It is to let go of the false ways we try to save ourselves without Him. To lose our life for His sake is to stop gripping control and start trusting love. 
 
We do not have to be strong enough. He already is. Take up your cross, yes. But take it up with Him. 

Mary Stringini 

YMA Core Team

What crosses do I feel you are carrying at this time? How have I been dealing with them? Are there ways I am being guided to take up this cross differently? 

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