“Whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:38).
Jesus refers to our sufferings as a crossbecause the word “cross” signifies the instrument He used to bring about our salvation. He wants out difficulties to be elevating and sanctifying, not defeating.
Think firstof the daily annoyances and irritants. Approach these as saint-making moments. These might include physical ailments and limitations brought on by poor health, economic restrictions, exhaustion from overwork or anxiety. They may be emotional sufferings resulting from differences of opinion, clashes of temperaments or misunderstandings.
The cross Jesus offers us daily is unpretentious and often requires no great heroism but instead demands that we repeat our commitment every day, meekly bowing our shoulders to carry its weight with generosity and love.
