While every cross you carry daily, when should remember that Jesus asked us to walk with him, to invite him to help us. Jesus says, “Come to me all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give your rest” (Matthew 11: 28)
In today’s gospel passage (Matthew 9: 18-26), we read an account of an unnamed man and unnamed woman who carry heavy life burdens. The man’s daughter died, and he sought out Jesus for help. The man wanted Jesus to give his daughter back her life. “My daughter has just died, but come, lay your hand on her and she will live” What a man of faith? She has died, but come nonetheless……
The second account is about a woman who had been sick and suffered for twelve years. When this woman saw Jesus, she said to herself “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured”. She did. Jesus told her that she was courageous and that her faith saved her.
A few days ago, at a dinner at the home of a parishioner, which took place prior to the 4th of July parade, I met an inactive Catholic couple. To cut the story short, the inactive couple said that they stopped practice the faith due to their daughter been a transgender, that the Church’s teaching on the issue was a breaker. We invited the couple to join us in this weekend’s church services. The way this couple responded to their cross is quite different from the others mentioned above.
What we I learn from these personalities? Some have the courage to lift their crosses up and move on, others do not have the fortitude, rather they allow the cross to overwhelm them and consume their joy and peace, hence, leading to the abandonment of faith as in the last story just told.
No matter which crosses we carry, Jesus asked us to “come” to him.
We should never try to avoid Jesus. Rather, we should run to Jesus.
In you, my God, I place my trust.
Have a wonderful week
