Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 9, 22-25
Jesus said to his disciples:
“The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected
by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised.”
Then he said to all,
“If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself
and take up his cross daily and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
What profit is there for one to gain the whole world
yet lose or forfeit himself?”
Take up your cross
1. Suffering. It’s a natural part of life, but it’s a mistake to seek out pain or become fixated on hardship. Avoid falling into the habit of always complaining or searching for things that hurt you. Today, Jesus reminds us that challenging moments are inevitable, and we must accept and face them with courage. Life isn’t all pain or all joy—it’s a combination of both highs and lows, and everything eventually passes.
2. Following Christ. This season reminds us that following Jesus means sharing in His experiences, including suffering. But remember! Don’t focus solely on the suffering, don’t remain on the cross because you know that the journey leads to Resurrection. Keep moving forward! You’re capable of much, and being a follower of Jesus means striving to be Christ-like in the world. Draw strength from prayer and your faith community, because trying to face life’s challenges alone only makes them harder.
3. Find your happiness. Seek the heavenly things; focus on heaven. Happiness is a path, not a destination; it isn’t a single place you arrive at, but a lifelong journey. Even though you may have countless worries and sometimes struggle to accomplish even one thing, strive each day for happiness. Some days will be bright and clear, while others feel uncertain. Learn to let go and focus on what matters most; discern the difference between what is important and what is urgent.
Remember that something good is on the way! God bless you and be with you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
