What is your cross?

Cloë it has been 4 days since we heard the Sunday Gospel and I'm still not sure what the heck Jesus was talking about when He said "...take up his cross and follow me." Since then I have been looking for the crosses but I can't find them!

Tallulah, Tallulah, Tallulah! Jesus was not talking about a cross made of wood or another material. He was talking about a figurative cross.

There you go with the big words again. What does figurative mean?!

It means that Jesus used this saying as a symbol. For example, when you have to do chores around the house 

but you would rather be out playing with  your friends, you are taking up your cross.

You may have to suffer a bit but it is to help out your mom and dad.

So is it kind of like when our master puts us outside while she and her guests are trying to eat supper?! I'd rather be begging at the table

but to help her out I'm prepared to take up my cross and wait outside!

Now you are getting it Tallulah.

Some crosses, like our two examples, are not so big. But some crosses, even for little kids, are huge!

The best example I can think of is our friend Alex. As you know, he was very sick with cancer and had to have lots of treatments, some that really hurt. But he did it without complaining because that was his cross and he was prepared to accept it.

That must have been so hard Cloë.

I think it was Talllulah. But Jesus never asks us to carry our crosses alone.

He is always there to help, sometimes through prayer, sometimes through the moms and dads or our friends. The important thing to remember is to ask your friend Jesus to help you carry your cross! It may still be tough, but it will be a little lighter.

 

By the way, Alex is doing very well. He still has to go for treatments but he had a great time at camp this summer and he is back at school!

Here is a good prayer that you can pray when your cross is getting heavy.

Let's always trust that everything that happens in our lives
be it good or bad has a purpose.
Let us allow God to use the circumstances in our lives and
mould us into the best persons we can be.
Remember that He is just beside us... watching and caring.
Amen

Woof!

Cloë and Tallulah