Readings: Nahum 1:15.2:2.3:1.6-7, Ps. Deut. 32:35-41, Matt 16:24-28
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.
DON’T EVER THINK THAT IT IS EASY TO FOLLOW THE LORD
Reflecting on the continuous hostility, persecution and influential powers of the things of this world, I think it is time for us to really think twice about our faith as Christians, whether we are ready to live out our faith in the midst of these ugly situations in our societies, which is getting tougher every day. If we are willing to live out our Christian faith and obligations, then we need to make a radical decision towards our discipleship in a personal and radical way.
Little wonder Jesus, in our Gospel passage today, says: ‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. Anyone who wants to save his life will lose it, but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it. What, then, will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life? Or what has a man to offer in exchange for his life?
Here Jesus knowing what awaits us in this world, takes his discourse on discipleship to a radical and difficult level, especially in a situation where our faith and Christian values have been thrown out of caution as a result of secularism, individualism and excess desires for worldly pleasures, thereby neglecting the things that lead us to God.
Thus, these hard words of Jesus can only be understood in the light of our life experience. Here comes the moment when we have to make radical and difficult choices as disciples of Jesus. It’s time for us to take up our Cross in a sacrificial way and follow the Lord. But what is the cross we are called to take up? Taking up our cross could mean faithfully facing our daily challenges with all their difficulties. It is accepting who we are and what we have and using them to the glory of God.
The way of the cross is a way of sacrifice, a way of commitment, a way of love, forgiveness, mercy and compassion, which aim towards the good of the other person. It can be a costly service to a loved one who is ill; it can be embracing illness, even terminal illness or other personal weaknesses, this makes no sense except when we relate it with the suffering of Christ through faith in God.
Dear friends, don’t ever think that it is easy to follow the Lord. Little wonder God, through prophet Nahum in our first reading today, promised us that he will not abandon his faithful people in the darkness of this passing world. For he shall crush the wicked and all those who have oppressed his people. He has promised that he will stand by us in the midst of persecution and suffering. For a while, we might suffer, but in the end, those who remained faithful to him will be victorious while the oppressors will be rejected, crushed and destroyed.
Thus, to share the glory of Christ, we have to share his suffering because it is impossible to follow Jesus without accepting the cross and acknowledging and embracing all that life has to offer us. So it’s time to make a radical decision to sincerely and faithfully follow Jesus. But how much are we willing to let go for the sake of following him? Why are we finding it difficult to follow Jesus? What are those habitual desires and possessions that are holding us from making this radical decision today? It is time to come to God with all our hearts, for tomorrow may be too late.
LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, the excess desire for the pleasurable things of this passing world have weakened our hearts towards you, give us courage and grace to let go of our ugly desires and as we do this, may the cross of Christ be a shining example in our daily struggles, to hold firm in our faith despite all the sufferings and persecutions we may encounter. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Have a fruitful day.
