Compiled By Elijah Ugani
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24
The Christian journey is a journey of self-denial, sacrifice, and following Christ. Jesus says, “Take up your cross and follow me.” Whoever wants to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Christ will find it.
When we speak of losing our lives, it is not necessarily about physical death. Sometimes, it means losing our time, our resources, our comfort, and the things we hold dear for the sake of God and others. Whatever we willingly surrender for God, He is able to restore. But whatever we try desperately to preserve at the expense of our faith and purpose, we may eventually lose.
Following Christ Requires Perseverance. Following Christ is not always easy.
In the first reading, Jeremiah experienced rejection because he remained faithful to God’s word. He became a laughingstock among the people. Whenever he spoke, he faced opposition and ridicule.
There are times when you sincerely want to do the right thing, yet people will reject you. There are times when your efforts to serve God will be misunderstood. The Christian journey involves opposition, difficulties, and tribulations.
Yet Jeremiah spoke of a burning fire within him. That burning fire must remain alive in every Christian.
When someone constantly complains about serving God, it may be a sign that the fire within is growing weak. When you feel like giving up because of tribulation, rejection, or disappointment, keep moving. Do not abandon God simply because following Him has become difficult.
There must be a fire within you that keeps you going. Do Not Think Only According to Human Standards
We must not think only according to human standards. We must allow God to renew our minds and transform the way we see life. This is why Jesus rebuked Peter and said: “Get behind me, Satan.”
Peter loved Jesus, but his love was not yet aligned with God’s purpose. He wanted to prevent Jesus from passing through the cross. Sometimes, even those who love us can prevent us from fulfilling our purpose and destiny.
Never allow anyone to love you to the point where you can no longer fulfil your God-given purpose. Allow Your Children to Experience Their Own Crosses
Peter’s love for Jesus made him want to protect Jesus from suffering. In the same way, parents sometimes want to protect their children from every difficulty. Sometimes we prevent our children from passing through their own crosses.
For example, Junior wakes up in the morning and refuses to greet an elder. Someone calls your attention to it, and you say, “Leave him; he is still a child.” That is not necessarily love.
Children must be taught discipline, responsibility, respect, sacrifice, and perseverance. We must allow them to experience appropriate challenges that will help them grow. For you to move forward in life, you must stretch yourself.
Many of us remember when we used to trek long distances to school. After school, we would return home and still follow our parents to the farm.
Today, some parents carry their children to school, prepare their meals, put them in lunch bags, and make life as comfortable as possible for them.
Comfort is good, but excessive comfort can prevent growth. Sometimes, the cross is what makes us stronger. Every Community and Family Has Its Cross
What does God want from us? God wants us to worship Him in spirit and truth and to trust Him.
Every community has its crosses. Every family has its crosses. Unemployment may be a cross. Poverty may be a cross. Misunderstanding within a family may be a cross. The presence of a cross does not mean that God has abandoned you.
Rather, the way we carry our crosses can become an expression of our faith. Sacrifice Is Part of Christian Discipleship. Sacrifice is part of our Christian discipleship.
Christianity is more than attending Mass. Christianity means giving ourselves in service to God and to humanity. A neighbour who forgives is offering a sacrifice. A Christian who chooses to love when it is difficult is offering a sacrifice.
Someone who gives his time, resources, patience, and strength for the good of others is making himself a living sacrifice. Therefore, in whatever you do, be a living sacrifice.
St. Paul tells us in the second reading to renew our minds. We must not conform ourselves to the things of the world. Instead, we must allow God to transform our minds so that we can understand and live according to His will.
Even the Sabbath belongs to the Lord. It is not entirely ours. The next Sabbath is not even guaranteed to us; therefore, our time itself belongs to God.
Let us therefore conform our minds not to the things of the world, but to the things of God. Let us choose what glorifies God. Let us remain faithful even when the journey becomes difficult. Let us carry our crosses with faith, knowing that Christ has gone before us.
I pray for you that as you make sacrifices for God and for mankind, may God never forget you.
I pray for you that as you set your minds on the things that glorify God, may God not forget you.
I pray for you that as you struggle daily to follow Christ, may He never forget you.
May He give you the grace to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him faithfully.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this sermon are strictly that of the homilist, Rev Fr Felix Ovai Ekpe, and does not represent Theluminenews, agents or the organisation the homilist works for/with.