This is an excerpt from the Gospel of today’s Mass for the Thursday after Ash Wednesday.

Luke 9: 23

“Then he said to everyone: “If anyone is willing to come after me: let him deny himself, and take up his cross every day, and follow me.”

via Catholic Public Domain Version of the Sacred Bible.

“Take of his (or her) cross” … “every day.” Not just when you want to, but daily. The crosses that you “take up” are the daily troubles, trial and tribulations that everyone gets, and that we used to drink over to cope with (or escape from).

The deny the cross and run from it is not to be a follower of Christ. And especially nowadays when in many parts of the world to be a follower of the Jesus is to incur a humiliating death penalty.

In the Lenten season we are to be especally vigilant and dedicated in “taking up the Cross.” Are you accepting the Crosses you have to bear?

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