Jesus said to his
disciples: "If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you
belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not
belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates
you. Remember the word I spoke to you, ´No slave is greater than his master.´
If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they
will also keep yours. And they will do all these things to you on account of my
name, because they do not know the one who sent me." (John 15: 18-21)
Introductory Prayer: Lord, thank you for
granting me the opportunity to be with you. There are things in life, Lord,
that attract me, but you attract me more. I hope in you, and I love you. Maybe
I don’t really understand what it means to love, and maybe I don’t love the way
I should, but I do love you.
Petition: Lord, help me to
embrace my cross joyfully.
1. Bearing the Burden:
“The
world hated me first.” This is the incredible story of the Gospels. Christ came
and the culture was against him. As the story of Christ in the Gospel
progresses, the forces of antagonism get worse: The dangers increase with the
turning of every page. This was a real burden for Christ, the burden of a
parent whose children turn against him. Perhaps I, too, feel that burden.
Perhaps I experience that rejection from those who love me or from those who
don’t believe.
2. Loving Acceptance: Christ courageously
and lovingly accepted that burden. He did not complain. Perhaps he asked his
Father for an easier way. It is the same in our lives. I often face problems,
even when I want to do good. There comes a moment in life when I must accept my
limitations and the limitations imposed on me by others. This is a memorable
moment in life—the moment I accept my cross, like Christ did. That acceptance
isn’t easy, but at the same time it fills my heart with a deep peace and
sometimes even joy.
3. Seeking Solutions: After I accept my
cross, I experience a new courage, and my imagination fires up. Love always
looks for solutions: Christ never stopped searching for ways to get through to
the culture. I must do the best I can to evangelize, even though I may
encounter opposition. With Christ’s help, no obstacle is too great. He will
help me to overcome all the problems I may encounter. The important thing is
that I keep focused on the fulfillment of his will out of love. He will take
care of the rest.
Conversation with
Christ: Lord,
you know my burden. You know what makes me lose sleep, what I wake up worrying
about. Help me to accept it, as you accepted your cross.
Resolution: I
will stop complaining and see what I can do to alleviate the burdens and
sufferings of others.
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