What rules your life? From where do you receive your directions? Can you sing out, “I did it my way” or have the shopping channels been your guide? Are either of those options wise or faithful? As I peeked ahead to the gospel texts that are coming in September I have been reminded that Jesus draws an unwavering line that ends at the cross. To be his disciple, we are to take up the cross.
"THE cross! " Not just any cross.
The cross Jesus refers to is the cross which he carried. It is cross of sacrifice; the cross becomes the focus rather than our own self and its desires. The cross reminds us that those things which we thought were so essential and important, that would create an image and reputation in this world that would make us important and admired, need to be relinquished for the sake of others. The church takes up that message as it continues to call for disciples in Jesus’ name.
The church is in the business of public service but not of politics. The church has one Lord, Jesus Christ. We live in this world, we are to care for this creation, we are to love our neighbors. That puts us at odds with society and sets us against many of the goals which we don’t always realize the world and its leaders are working toward. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. (Lk 14:27) We have as our friend and leader the one who took up that cross for our sake. He will be our support and guide.
It is time to consider the role we have been given as followers of Christ as we make plans and decisions that lead us forward. Calvary, this community that strives and struggles together, needs to focus on who we are charged to be and how we can support one another in this task.