He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Lord,
my mind keeps remembering
those who have died in recent days
because they were
"people of the cross".
I wonder:
Would I have the same courage?
Facing execution,
would I hold strong to my belief in you?
Lord Jesus,
you faced that same question.
Before your accusers,
before those who flogged you,
as the nails split your flesh,
as you faced execution,
not only did you keep your faith,
you spoke words of grace:
"Father forgive them..."
This lent as I make my way
toward the cross
strengthen my faith in you,
build my hope,
transform my fears into your grace filled love
that I too may claim with boldness:
I am of the cross of Christ.
and I forgive just as I have been forgiven.
Amen.
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