Fifth Day of Lenten Reflection: "Take up your cross and follow me"

On the fifth day of Lenten reflection, let us reflect on a profound and challenging invitation from Jesus: "Take up your cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24). This call to discipleship is at the core of the Lenten journey, inviting us to embrace the way of the cross, which is a path of self-denial, sacrifice, and deep commitment to Christ.

The image of taking up one's cross is powerful and sobering. In Jesus' time, the cross was a symbol of suffering, humiliation, and death. To take up the cross, then, means to be willing to endure hardship and opposition for the sake of Christ. It is a call to lay down our own desires, ambitions, and will, to surrender ourselves fully to God's purpose and will for our lives.

This call to carry the cross is not a call to passivity or resignation but to active and willing participation in the life and mission of Jesus. It is about identifying with Christ in his suffering and love, understanding that the way of the cross leads to resurrection and new life. In taking up our cross, we find our true selves, not in the accolades or comforts of this world, but in the sacrificial love and service of God and others.

Lent provides us with the opportunity to reflect on what it means to carry our cross. It invites us to examine the areas of our life where we are called to greater faithfulness, where we might need to let go of our ego and pride, and where we are asked to stand firm in our faith, even in the face of difficulty or unpopularity.

Furthermore, "Take up your cross and follow me" is a reminder of the cost of discipleship. Following Jesus is not a path to worldly success or comfort but often leads to misunderstanding, rejection, and suffering. However, it is also a journey marked by profound joy, peace, and the presence of God. As we follow Christ, we are not alone; He walks with us, strengthens us, and guides us every step of the way.

In this Lenten reflection, let us embrace the call to take up our cross. May we find the courage to face the challenges that come with authentic discipleship. Let us find strength in the knowledge that in losing our life for Christ's sake, we find it. May our journey of carrying the cross lead us deeper into the heart of God, where we discover the true joy and fulfillment that come from following Jesus.