Thursday, March 3, 2022
Following Jesus
An excerpt from Luke 9:23 (NRSV)
If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
Reflection from Mary Haas, St. Lawrence Episcopal Church:
What does it mean to take up my cross and follow Jesus? To me, it means to breathe. To open myself to God’s loving presence moment by moment. When faced with circumstances in life I would not choose, to deny my impulse to brace and resist. Instead, I am asked to trust that whatever burdens life is asking me to carry, Jesus will not let me carry them alone. Will not let any situation be wasted. That he will “work all things for the good of those who love him” even if I, in my limited human capacity, can’t possibly imagine any good in a situation. The crosses in life are not a choice. I believe the choice Jesus invites me to make in this passage is to take a moment to breathe, pray, trust, and go willingly down the road he is asking me to travel.
Painting by Mary Haas
For further study and prayer, the readings assigned for today are:
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16, Exodus 5:10-23, Acts 7:30-34
Music
“Take Up Thy Cross”
Tune: Breslau
Music by Henry Baker
Words by Charles W. Everest,
Performed by Gesualdo Six
“Take up your cross,” the Savior said,
if you would my disciple be;
“take up your cross with willing heart,
and humbly follow after me.”