NO CROSS NO CROWN

Friday within the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time: Year C Matthew 16:24-28 In today’s gospel, Jesus tells his disciples: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me. Three things I would like to share. 1. Deny yourself. God wants us to give up the ways of the world because He has something much better for us. To gain, we must give up. When we choose to follow the Lord we have to renounce everything that are not necessary in following Him. If we do not learn to deny ourselves we can make no progress in perfection. Christian life is not about self promotion but self denial. Ourself is no longer the most imporatant thing in the world but the others and Jesus. No more selfies! To live forever, we must die. Friends, if we give up worldly life we will surely gain life eternal. 2. Take up your cross. The Lord does not promise us bed of roses. He is inviting us to carry our cross daily. Crosses may represent relationship imbalance, illness, spiritual crisis, financial worries, family difficulties, depression, joblessness etc. You know what, dont be afraid of the cross because those who have crosses are the strongest person in the world. Brethren, remember this-No cross, no crown. Your greatest burdens will be your greatest blessings. Your greatest trials will become your greatest triumph. If you carry your cross joyfully, it will carry you. There will be sufferings but its only temporary. It has an expiration date. Storms dont last forever. 3. Follow the Lord Folks, follow the Lord not people. Follow the Lord not the world. Follow Him and prosperity, blessings and abundance will overflow in you. Turn away from Him and you will perish. “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul.” Brothers and sisters, make space for what matters. Start your journey with Jesus now. Blessings Fr. Jhack