Jesus said to his apostles: “whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.” Our life is often described and compared to that of a journey. But where are you going? Have you prepared for the trip? What is your final destination? Where is the road that you are following leading you? Will it bring you life or will it bring you destruction? It seems that one road will lead us to a gate that upon entering the gate we will obtain grace, peace and eternal happiness – the reward and consolation of our travels and good deeds. The other road is wide and well-traveled. It will lead many if not corrected to the gate of that terrible place of perpetual darkness and constant desolation. Our final destination depends on who we are following and how we are living our earthly life. Our Lord invites us to consider the choice that has been set before us and to understand the unalterable consequence of our decision. He shares with us his thoughts on the matter, the innermost desire of his heart, his preference for each of us, his hope in our decision. God wishes us to choose life, to choose him. Can you hear him saying to your heart, “please I beg you choose me.” Jesus reminds us of the path to the Father, the road that leads to heaven, the journey that brings us peace. He says you know the way. But our hearts like Thomas say we don’t know where you are going, how can we know the way? Jesus invites us to look deep within our hearts and discover the truth – to consider the Way, to deny yourself, to take up your cross and to follow him on the road less traveled; the road to eternal peace. We must live this life as Christ did by being faithful to the Father, obedient to his will, longing for heaven, attentive to his voice, caring for his people, praying to his heart. We must walk towards God, towards Jerusalem, towards home. We must avoid the temptations along the way, love those who hate us, pray for those who persecute us, forgive those who hurt us. We must die with Christ. We must rise with Christ for he truly is “the way and the truth and the life.”
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time