Take Up Your Cross

Daily Gospel Reflection 2/23/2023

Sir Thomas More: But Richard, that's a little bribe. At court, they offer you all sorts of things, home, manors, manor houses, coats of arms. Why not be a teacher? You'd be a fine teacher; perhaps a great one.

Richard Rich: If I was, who would know it?

Sir Thomas More: You; your pupils; your friends; God. Not a bad public, that. Oh, and a quiet life. (A Man for All Seasons 1966)

In the film, A Man for All Seasons, Thomas More tries to warn Richard Rich of the temptations in the political arena. Rich, however, is young, ambitious, and intelligent, thirsting for notoriety and power. Fast forward, Richard makes his way to the top primarily due to his weak and ambitious nature, moving further away from a God-centered life. Richard Rich sells his soul for earthly fame, and upon realizing he will be executed due to Rich's false testimony, Thomas leaves the ambitious statesman with these last words. "What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?" (Lk 9:25) Today's reading reminds us that although the road to Christ might not provide us with certain earthly and temporal comforts, it is only in the cross where we find the true source of salvation.

---

"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.” (Lk 9:23-24)

---

As we enter the second day of our Lenten journey, Christ's words remind us that we must pick up our cross daily and deny ourselves to follow Him. The keyword that Luke points towards in today's Gospel is that discipleship is a "daily" struggle. Yes, we will struggle "daily" as we fight the good fight, but do not forget Christ will be by your side on this journey. If there are days that the cross seems too hard to carry, remember to ask Jesus for His strength and guidance.

I hope the words of this prayer below and Today's Gospel reading will inspire and motivate you during your Lenten journey. We need all the spiritual armor possible. God Bless you all, and thank you for reading and supporting Missio Dei.

Prayer For All Who Carry Their Cross

O my God,
I thank You for this cross you’ve allowed me to carry.
Please give me the strength and faith
to persevere so that I may bring glory to Your Name,
all while withstanding the burden of its weight.

Thank You for offering me a share in Your suffering.
I know You have always been, are now, and ever will be
at my side every step of the way.
Thank You also for every “Simon” You have sent
to help me bear this cross.
I’ve prayed so often that this thorn in my flesh
would be removed, but I trust that Your grace is sufficient.
Change my heart’s troubled cry of:
“How long, Lord?”
Into words of trust:
“However long, O Lord.”
May I seek only to do Your will, and to unite my sufferings with Your passion.
Help me to not get lost in my own self-concerns,
but that I may find in these trials
a way to greater virtue, a call to prayer,
and a path to trust in You alone.
Permit me not to waste my pain,
but to make of all these struggles
a sacrificial offering for others, Lord;
when I am weary and I fall,
exhausted under the weight of this cross,
please give me the courage to press on as You did.
Lord Jesus, I embrace with love my cross,
as a share in Your own.
By Your grace, may I carry it all the way
to the vision of Your glory.
I abandon myself totally to Your will.
Christ Jesus, I trust in You.

Amen.