On the first day after Ash Wednesday we hear about the cross. About Jesus’ journey to the cross. But we also hear about the resurrection, as Jesus states that he will be raised on the third day. We hear this at the start of our Lenten observances. Ash Wednesday is always an exciting day, as we here in Mississippi complete our Mardi Gras celebration and then come to church to receive ashes on our foreheads as a public recognition of our desire to repent and renew our lives of faith. The Ash Wednesday Masses at St Jude were packed with the faithful, as the message of Ash Wednesday really speaks to us on our journey. However, now the hard work of Lent begins for us, as Jesus does not just describe his journey to his cross and his resurrection, but he tells us that we ourselves must deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow him. And we all have our crosses, don’t we? I think of those who are trying to battle addictions to drugs and alcohol. I remember that when I worked in Canada with many street people who were trying to battle a heroin addiction. I cannot imagine a more horrible cross to carry through life. Following Christ and carrying our crosses is not just an idea or an ideal. It is a part of our lived reality. It is something we need to confront and focus on in our journey of faith. Today, at the beginning of Lent, we might ask ourselves what it really means to carry our crosses and to follow Christ in the midst of our lived reality.
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