A person who felt little distracted and disturbed in life once thought of writing a letter to one of his close teachers who is also a priest. The letter was bit long since he had to release all his complains about life. He got the reply within two weeks. There were two-three highlighted sentences in the letter. They are:

Sometimes struggles of life may be very painful. Still, please do choose Jesus. Those are the prices that you pay for a better life in Christ.

I am not so innocent to say that do choose Jesus always. Still I know very well that “to be a follower of Jesus” is much more price worthy than we think of. Discipleship is all about denying our self, taking up the daily crosses, and following Jesus very closely. It indicates that we need to pay the price for our choice.

Like a grain of wheat falling into the earth

The passage of denying our self, taking up the daily crosses, and following Jesus has a very close reference to John 12:24. Jesus says “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”

The falling of the grain of wheat into the earth is for a noble cause. It is for the abundant cause of increase. It is for the noble cause of bearing the fruit. A grain of wheat falling into the earth and dying is equal as a human denying himself, taking up the daily crosses, and following Jesus very closely.

Since I am not careful enough to let myself fall into the earth and die, the best of me is not yet. Because i am not committed enough to deny myself and take up the daily crosses, I remain fruitless unproductive and non-creative.

Bearing the daily crosses of life

The reason for bearing the daily crosses of life remains unanswered from the very beginning of the existence of mankind. So let us start believing that God has a right, God has a reward for us, all the more God has a reason for everything.

One thing is quite obvious that suffering has always been a vehicle for deep spiritual growth for many people. Those who have been endured great sufferings of life are generally the one who evolve into greatest beings. Everything that occurs in life has been perfectly orchestrated to inspire our maximal evolution as a better human being and bring us into our true power.

Ours is a time where most of us are suffering from a sickness of comfortable discipleship. Let us start telling good-bye to our safety zones. Let us stop living comfortably and start living the truth of our call. A well rooted life in Jesus Christ costs a lot.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, May we enjoy the joy of belonging to you and the happiness of choosing you always. May we be always so committed to you so that we may take up our daily crosses and follow you very radically. Bless all of us with prosperity and peace of mind. Amen.

- – - written by Br. Augustine Mlavarayil

I carry a cross in my pocket,
A simple reminder to me
That I am a Christian,
No matter where I may be.

This little cross isn’t magic,
Nor is it a good luck charm.
It isn’t meant to protect me
From every physical harm.

It’s not for identification
For all the world to see.
It’s simply an understanding
Between my Savior and me.

When I put my hand in my pocket
To bring out a coin or a key,
The cross is there to remind me
Of the price He paid for me.

It reminds me too, to be thankful
For my blessings every day,
And to strive to serve Him better
In all that I do or say.

It’s also a daily reminder
Of the peace and comfort I share
With all who know my Master
And give themselves to His care.

So, I carry a cross in my pocket
Reminding none but me
That Jesus Christ is Lord of my life,
If only I’ll let Him be.

- – - written by Vera Mae Thomas

Those who live a double standard life are bringing blame to the cross of Christ.

For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ – Philippians 3:18. We need to examine ourselves that are we living as enemies of cross of Christ in our day-to-day living? Bible has cited four reasons in Phil 3:19.

First reason is that those who live as enemies of Cross, for them destiny is destruction. Second they think their God is their stomach. Third is that they give glory to their shame and lastly their mind is on earthly things.

Destiny is destruction

We see the life of Judas. He knew Jesus very closely that too in person. He ate and drank with Him. He listened to the preachings of Jesus. Even then he betrayed Jesus by a kiss. His destiny we all know. The point is that we humans who receive Jesus in mass every Sunday; can we afford to cling to sin? Sin is pleasurable. We need to examine our conscience and make a confession. We can pray that the blood of Jesus may cleanse our body , mind and soul. We can also ask Jesus to interfere in our life so that HIS will may be done and HIS kingdom comes on this earth.

God is their stomach

Today the rich are getting richer. The thirst to be wealthy is like water flowing out of the mug. Our stomach is not full. People are not content with what they have. They want more and more. We need to trust Jesus in HIS providence. Everyday we say ‘Give us today our daily bread’. We need to be content with what God gives us. We also need to make sure that we are giving one-tenth of the income to our Lord’s house. It is a challenge to fill our mind with the Word of God. Because mind controls the stomach.

Glory is their shame

Am I a hypocrite? We need to ask this question to ourselves. Are we living two lives. One is that we regularly attend Sunday mass and outside Church we live a sinful life. Whom are we pleasing? Whom are we fooling? It is time to pull our strings and say no to sin. Living a double standard life is abateful. We Christians are more answerable to Lord on our judgement day. Do not glorify yourself after committing a sin instead we need to repent so that angels can glorify over a repentant sinner.

Mind on earthly things

Many of us have cravings on earthly things. What are earthly things? Is it food, clothes, house, job? Why are we worried about earthly things? We are called to live Christ like life. The challenge is how to set our mind on heavenly things rather than on earthly things. The answer to this challenge is by constantly praising and worshiping HIM. By giving praise and worship to the Lord, the Lord will set all things right without our knowledge. We should also understand that the wavelength of thinking of God and ours is different. The wavelength is equal to the difference between the land and the sky.

Download the Enemies of the Cross of Christ PDF

Whatever happens in our life, is for good. We need to patiently wait upon the Lord for HIS glory to fall on us. St. Paul tells us to love and embrace the cross. Living as enemies of the cross is self-indulging. Take a look at these Calvary Cross Pictures of Jesus Christ.

- – - written by Merly Simon