Archbishop J, help us understand WYD Way of the Cross
August 10, 2023
Saturday August 12th: Moving mountains
August 12, 2023
The cross represents Jesus’ surrender to the Father, on behalf of humanity.
Matthew 16: 24 – 28
Every disciple who takes up their cross and follow Jesus will certainly receive an appropriate reward when the time comes. But what is the cross? What is our cross?
The cross cannot be the arthritis or headache or bothersome person or failure. Many call these their daily crosses. While there might be some truth to that, Jesus did not suffer any of these life’s difficulties on Calvary. He suffered an agonizing death, after a lot of humiliation and cruelty.
The cross represents Jesus’ surrender to the Father, on behalf of humanity. And through it, salvation was won for all. Taking up one’s cross and following Jesus has to entail sacrifices for others.
The question then is, how do we help others carry their burdens and sufferings? How do we walk with them? How do we help them shoulder their loads? This was how Jesus lived. He lifted up people, He healed people, He put people before himself. If we are to follow Him, it must be through our service to others.
