Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The readings today speak about one difficult but necessary reality of Christian life: following God is not always easy, but it is always worth it. Sometimes God’s will leads us through sacrifice, rejection, suffering and the Cross. Yet, when we remain faithful, God brings meaning and life out of our struggles.

In the first reading, Jeremiah is frustrated because his mission has brought him suffering and rejection. He feels that God has placed him in a difficult situation. Jeremiah wants to stop preaching, but he discovers that he cannot remain silent because there is a burning fire in his heart, imprisoned in his bones that inspires him and every effort to stop is not possible. This is the experience of someone who knows that God has called him. Sometimes doing God’s will can be difficult. We may experience rejection, misunderstanding, disappointment, loneliness and confrontations even as volunteers. But like Jeremiah, we discover that God’s word within us is stronger than our difficulties.

In the second reading of today, St. Paul tells us: “To offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” Paul is reminding us that Christianity is not only about coming to church. Our whole life is an offering to God. Our work, family, relationships, suffering, talents, time, confusion, worries, disappointments and even our difficulties can become offerings to God. Paul also says: “Do not model yourselves on the behavior of the world, but let your minds be renewed.” The world may tell us: “Choose comfort, avoid sacrifice, seek pleasure and think only about yourself.” But Christ tells us: “Give, serve, forgive, sacrifice and love.”

In the Gospel, Jesus tells His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, suffer, be killed and rise again. Peter does not like this idea. He takes Jesus aside and says: “Heaven preserve you, Lord; this must not happen to you.” But Jesus responds strongly: “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path.” Why? Because Peter wanted a Messiah without suffering. He wanted glory without the Cross. Jesus then gives us one of the most important teachings of Christianity: “If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me.” We all have crosses that people may never know about. We carry smiling faces but deep within are worries that weigh us down. Jesus does not say, “If you have a cross, you are doing something wrong.” He says, “Take up your cross and follow me.” The Cross is not the end of the story. Jesus carried the Cross and came to resurrection. A seed must fall into the ground before it produces a harvest. Some of the greatest spiritual growth in our lives can come through the difficult seasons if we give Jesus a chance.

Jesus invites us today not to abandon our mission because it becomes difficult. Jeremiah teaches us that God’s call can remain powerful even when we are tired. St. Paul invites us to offer our lives to God as a living sacrifice.

Do not run away from every cross because some crosses are not obstacles to God’s plan but part of God’s plan. St. John Paul II says: “When the cross is embraced it becomes a sign of love and of total self-giving. To carry it behind Christ means to be united with Him in offering the greatest proof of love.” Our Christianity is not a promise of a cross-free life; it is the promise that Christ will help us carry our crosses to make them lighter if we ask His help. He really wants us to discover Him through our difficulties. When you are tired, remember Jeremiah. When you are tempted to conform to the world, remember Paul. When the Cross becomes heavy, look at Jesus. May we have the courage to say every day: “Lord, even when I do not understand your plan, I choose to follow you.” Amen.

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