Deny ourselves and pick up the cross

Gospel
Matthew 16:21–27
Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself.

Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay all according to his conduct.”

Reflection
The first part of the gospel gives us advise .When face with problem always ask what would Jesus do .To get the answer pray.
Secondly it is not easy to follow Jesus. There are a lot of crosses to carry in his name. Only that way will we be fit for the kingdom of God.

Do we seek God when face with problem. Do the cross we carry a burden or a joy ?

Let us pray
Oh Lord Jesus when faced with problem only you know what is best. Guide us to your solution . Give us the strength to carry our cross daily so that we will be fit for the kingdom of God.
Amen

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