The Call and cost of following of Jesus
Reading: Luke 9:22-25
Jesus said to his disciples: The Son of Man is destined to suffer grievously; to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up on the third day.’
Then to all He said, ‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, that man will save it. What gain, then, is it for a man to have won the whole world and to have lost his very self?’ Reflection
In this reflection, Jesus reminds his disciples that he is the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah, ’By his sufferings shall my servant justify many, taking their faults upon himself.’ (Isaiah 53: 11) He is the servant - disciple of the Father and the will of the father for the redemption of the world will be fulfilled through his suffering. His total self-gift will be necessary for the salvation of the world. This message was not for the disciples alone but for each one of us. Through the grace of baptism, we are invited into a deep, personal discipleship relationship with Jesus and this will be a costly for each one in different ways. Suffering will come in the daily trials of life and we are asked, like Jesus to embrace the cross and deepen our relationship with him and others through it. The shadow of the cross may fall over your life through the illness of your beautiful newborn baby who now needs major surgery to survive. In these awful anxious days you do not know if the baby will survive surgery and live a good quality of life or will they need extra support for the rest of their lives. If so, is it available where you live or will they need to move far from home to receive the care that they need. In your hour of darkness are you able to totally trust in the mercy of God to see you and your family through and to allow him to purify your life through this uninvited cross. Do you believe that he will call you to a deeper knowledge of him through it and that he will guide all caring for your baby as little children were always very close to his heart (Matthew 19:14) Are you able to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and trust him to see you through. Are you willing to follow wherever he may lead you at this time. Deep in your heart are you able to hear his words of comfort as he asks you to hand over your cross to him and allow him to carry it with you. In faith and prayer do you believe that the journey of the cross calls us to allow God to guide us into new and unknown paths that deepen our relationship with him. He may be calling you to a new ministry of service to the families of other sick children as your experience of deep suffering may have deepened your empathy for all who suffer, and you will have a genuine compassion that will be a strength and comfort to others in their hour of need.
What Christian support services are available for families of very sick children in your area.
Who supports hospital or hospice chaplains as they accompany families of very sick children or bereaved parents and families in your community.
What can you do to help.
If you are struggling with a cross, write your honest plea to God for the grace and comfort you need.
How has your faith been deepened through your experience of the cross.
Write your own prayer of gratitude.
Prayer
Lord, your words to us that tell us about your forthcoming suffering are too awful to contemplate. Why should you, my God, suffer so grievously?
I ask your forgiveness for the many times that I have betrayed you and led you to your death. I ask forgiveness for the times when my heart has rejected your cross in my life. Help me to keep my life focused on you as I deepen my commitment to discipleship with you.I make this prayer in your name, O Lord of all life. Amen.
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