Friday of the Eighteenth Week of Ordinary Time

Lectio

    Matthew 16:24–28

Meditatio

“Whoever wishes to come after me must … take up his cross, and follow me.”

    Today, Jesus speaks to us, we who are his disciples. He explains that if we want to follow him, we must deny ourselves and take up our cross. Our cross includes the small and large sufferings we encounter each day. Suffering is not a uniquely Christian experience. Everyone suffers—those who are Jesus’ disciples and those who are not. What might distinguish us, however, is how we suffer. We follow Jesus in the way we carry our cross and in our attitude toward suffering. Perhaps Jesus is inviting us to carry our cross with the same intentions he had when he carried his cross. Jesus suffered, died, and rose to redeem all people. Can we offer our sufferings, even the smallest, for this same intention? We might also have many other intentions: for peace, for our family, for an end to all violence and abortion, for the needs of the Church and the world—the list is endless.

    Whatever suffering we encounter, we can turn to Jesus and unite it with his. This gives our suffering a redemptive value. In other words, joined with Jesus, our offering brings grace and salvation to others. When we reach heaven, a crowd of people might rush to greet and thank us for the graces we obtained for them in this way. Today’s Gospel encourages us, for we are not alone as we carry our cross. We are following Jesus. Gradually we come to realize that he is walking with us as our companion and friend. He obtains for us the courage and strength we need. Jesus describes that glorious day when he will come in the glory of his Father, accompanied by his angels. Then he will reward us for following him. What a wonderful promise! On that day we will know the infinite value of following Jesus. We will bless the opportunities we had to carry our cross with Jesus.

Oratio

    Jesus, you are my friend and teacher. You show me the value of embracing the crosses in my life. I want to take up my cross and accompany you. This is not easy. I do not like to suffer. Whether my crosses are small or large, enable me to unite them to your sufferings, and to believe that my sufferings have value. Remind me to renew the intentions for which I want to offer them. Give me the grace to continue to carry my cross, even when I feel pushed beyond what I can endure. Encourage me by reminding me of the reward that awaits me.

Contemplatio

    Help me, Lord Jesus, to take up my cross today and to follow you.

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ORDINARY GRACE Weeks 18–34: Daily Gospel Reflections (By the Daughters of St. Paul)