Holiness

If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me. To many, the Lord's command seems difficult and painful. But to those who experience the wisdom of Christ His command is not really difficult or painful because Christ Himself helps us to do what He commands. Christ says "my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Love makes easy whatever may be difficult with respect to His commands.

To take up one's cross means we must endure many things that are painful. When we decide to follow Christ and embrace His teachings we will inevitably be contradicted. People will try to stop us. Even those who call themselves disciples of Christ will sometimes do so. Many people call themselves Christians, but few are truly friends of Christ because few are truly willing to suffer for His sake. If we wish to follow Christ we must use any obstacle and unite it to the cross. We must endure all hardships for the sake of Christ. "If anyone wishes to follow me, let him deny himself."

This is a command to all people; virgins, brides, widows, married women, monks, married men, clergy and laity. It is a command the whole Church must embrace. All members have their place in the Church. All must follow Christ in their own particular way of life. We must deny ourselves. We must rely on not our own strength, but on the strength of Christ Himself. We must take up our cross by enduring whatever pain the world brings our way.

Let us learn to love Christ more completely. He can neither deceive nor be deceived. He will never fail us. His promises are all true. Often people's faith fails because Christ does not offer an immediate reward. However, if we hold out and endure with patience we have carried our cross.

In Christ,

Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching