Take up your cross and follow me
This weekend at Mass our pastor spoke about suffering. Jesus Christ said that in order to follow him we must take up our cross. We have to lose our life to gain it. Our priest said in so many words “What is the point of suffering?” Why would we have to suffer? What is worse than suffering?
It may me ponder, how am I suffering in my life? I don’t think I do much suffering because I am so blessed to be a mom of four children and a wife of my soul mate. Then I thought about the things that take my time away from those callings in my life; my job as a teacher, my education (I am earning a Master’s Degree in Religious Education), and my writing. Each of those time consuming things are also callings in my life. My career as a teacher does take much more than 40 hours a week, but I am teaching my students how to find their faith. My writing is more like a part time job, but I am spreading my faith to thousands of people a week. My education takes about 10-15 hours a week, but I am learning about the Word of God, the Church and strengthening my faith so that I can share it with others.
Our priest said “What is worse than suffering? NOT HAVING ANYTHING TO SUFFER FOR!” He is so right. If I am suffering to become closer to God and to spread my faith to others then I am suffering for God. Nothing can be more important than that.
So, my question for you today is “how are you suffering? What or who are you suffering for?” Think about your life. Are you suffering through a job you don’t like to put food on the table for your children? Are you suffering by having less so that you can put your children through a Catholic Education? Have you taken up your cross to follow Christ through your suffering? Because the only thing worse than suffering is to not have anything to suffer for.
