Disciples, take up your cross

The Mass readings during the 13th and 14th Sundays in Ordinary Time offer timely inspiration to strengthen our call to holiness in gratitude.

Call to holiness (Mt 10:37-42)

We are living missionary disciples from the moment the sacrament of baptism plunges us into the waters of the life and death of Jesus Christ, the door of salvation. St. Paul explains, “Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the father, we too might live in newness of life” (Rom 6: 3-4).

Thus, we are together, one humanity, in the everyday journey to eternity. Each day we are called to holiness. Since Jesus conquered sin and death for us, we, as disciples, are equipped to conquer the trials and experiences on this journey together. We receive the Lord, in baptism and Eucharist, then GO OUT share his word in mission to form other disciples to follow Jesus and grow in holiness. Some days are challenging, some not. But all days as a disciple Jesus are steeped in opportunities to evangelize.

Herein, the significance of being centered on Christ Jesus is vital for the mission. Many will receive the message of truth, whereas many will reject. The Lord prepares us for this. He teaches, “He who receives you, receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me.” In other words, Jesus sends us, as missionary disciples, to continue his mission of proclaiming the kingdom of God, of leading all to hm, and thus to the father, by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Yes, even the simple act of giving a cup of cold water to another will refresh their physical thirst, as well as their soul, and open the doors for relationship, mercy and love. Be Christ to others. Be a courageous prophet for others. Be a witness of truth for others. Be present to others, that all may be one, as we are one in the body of Christ, the spirit of truth.

Dwelling place of the Holy Spirit (Mt 11:25-30)

St. Paul reminds us in the Letter to the Romans, “We are dwelling places of the Spirit of the Lord. This is the same Holy Spirit who raised our Savior from the dead” (Rom 8:9-13). The Lord, Jesus Christ, whom we are united to in baptism, unites us with the father and the Holy Spirit, the giver of life. St. Paul pulls us into the reality that if we live according to the Spirit, we will have life. We rejoice in the sharing of life in Christ.

Psalm 145 further unveils God as gracious, merciful, slow to anger, great in kindness, good to all, compassionate, faithful in his words, holy in his works, lifts up the lowly and raises those who bow down. We are called to live our life according to his kingly ways. Sit in prayer with these words: kind, good, meek, compassionate, lifts-up. All lead to peace. Lord, help me emulate your love as we journey to your kingdom.

Guided by the yoke

The Gospel of St .Matthew (Chap. 11) reveals Jesus praising the father. Thus, Jesus issues this invitation, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light” (Mt 11:25-30). Jesus invites us to follow him with childlike trust, to listen to his words and to share then with those we meet. The more we adhere to the word of God, the greater the rest we find in him.

He is grateful for the “little ones” who have been given the wisdom hidden from the self-righteous. They, with childlike faith, trust in the message of Jesus, whereas others cannot seem to grasp it. Further, he states, that if we know him, we will know the father. And just like that, he invites the “weary,” which constitutes most of us, to rest as we share his yoke, which is easy and his burden, which is light.

My grandfather was a farmer. I have vague memories of him placing a yoke on his mule as he tended the field. I was amazed how the yoke enabled him to easily guide the creature without harm. In fact, my grandfather was working harder to guide it. The results were straight lines and turned up soil ripe for sowing the seeds and planting strawberries.

Jesus asks us to take up his yoke, which will not only be easy but will be guided by him. When we attempt to steer ourselves without the guiding hands of Jesus, we become lost, unrested and exhausted. Let us be guided by the strong hands of Jesus as he gently leads us on his path.

Gratitude

“Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord!” (Ps 89). A pressing virtue of a disciple is gratitude. We are grateful for the sunrise, but are we truly grateful to the one who causes the sun to rise? Gratitude for God’s goodness is more powerful than the sun’s energy.

Conditions for discipleship extend beyond the reason of the world. For to be Christ-like is to radially love beyond human comprehension. Holiness is what we become amidst the persecutions and joys of the day. The dichotomy is a reality.

How can we grow in holiness? First of all, we ask for it. Second, we seek it in the ordinary things of each day. St. Therese of Lisieux realized that everything she accomplished was ultimately because of God’s unbounded love. The mindset of simplicity actually allows more freedom to grow in holiness. Knowing God loves us will build our confidence as disciples. We trust in his goodness and care. Be strong. Be courageous. Be holy. Keep it simple. Be a life-giving disciple.

Dow is director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis for the Diocese of Baton Rouge.