Cross and Self-denial

Key scripture:- Mt. 16:24-28

Reflection:- Here in this scripture Jesus teaches how an individual can be His follower. As I was inspired by this topic, I hope it also touches you too as it touched me.

There are two elements here that Jesus stresses on: one is the "cross" and second is "self-denial". Let's study both in a deeper prospective.

The Cross:- Now, what would you consider a cross?? Is it the same as the wooden planks that Jesus carried up to Golgotha? That's a physical representation of a cross, but spiritually there are many other such things that can be termed as a cross.

I would say, it is a thing or a thought or task or suffering which hinders our peace of mind. We run helter-skelter to rectify it but all goes in vain. So, when all our efforts go in vain we remember someone; and that someone is undoubtedly "God".

So why do you think we have to go through such vigorous crosses in life? Why no shortcuts? Crosses are just testing time of faith like how we used to have exams in school to show that we've learnt something after all the months of teaching. The crosses also helps to bring us back to the realization that, we cannot totally depend on our self, but only on God. 

When you see people flocking at retreat centers for their very first time, why is it? It's only because of some cross that breaks off their peace of mind. 

So how can I get rid of this cross? I'll quote two Bible verses down below:-

Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

Luke 9:23 NRSV

and carrying the cross by himself , he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus between them.

John 19:17‭-‬18 NRSV

"Take up your cross daily!". Yes, we need to take it up daily; and as Jesus took up His cross all by himself as mentioned in the second Bible verse and finally got crucified; in between two thieves then what was the outcome??? 

Jesus emerged victorious! And all that the Old Testament prophesied about Him came true.

And so it is with us, when we take up our cross and seek the help of Christ we emerge victorious.

Self-denial:- it is denying one's personal interests for the sake of others. 

Let's take an example of Abraham:- God told him to go from his country, his kindred and his father's house to a land that He will give and Abraham went. He detached from his personal belongings and went ahead with faith. 

Modern day example of this can be:- suppose you fight with your neighbor and in your mind you have total hatred towards them, but your heart tells you to forget and forgive them just because you recall what Jesus did for you while you were a sinner! And so, you start talking to them. 

So what are you doing basically is, you are denying yourself and following your heart in compassion towards them.

No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.

John 15:13 NRSV

Another analogy to this will be, when the wife prepares a dish and presents it before her spouse; no matter how good/bad it tastes', he will surely praise her wife. So when you die to your instincts and you just out-pour love, you end up being a reflection of Christ Jesus.

This is what Pope Francis said in his Apostolic Exhortation, 

" Not all saints are on the altar...

There is simple holiness of the saints next door."

Praise God