Whenever we come across the words of Jesus "take up your cross," we often think of some type of heavy suffering. But Jesus is addressing these words to his disciples as they are urged to follow him in self-giving love and service. Sometimes our "cross" does involve physical or emotional suffering, but the heart of his message has more to do with imitating him in his love—laying down our lives in love for God and for one another. So, when you reflect on it, you are carrying your cross in so many ways as you do those daily acts of self-sacrificing love—when you would perhaps prefer to do what you had planned. The whole point of the "cross" is to imitate Jesus in his love and to unite with him always. As we prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July, we can celebrate the many persons who have laid down their lives in love in love as well!
-Fr. Len Kraus, SJ
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