Luke 14:27
Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
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My father is a cursillista. Cursillos in Christianity is a ministry of the Catholic church founded in Majorca, Spain by a group of laymen in 1944. Its method focuses on training lay people to become effective leaders over the course of a three-day weekend. In their group, my father is the sought-after speaker for Lesson No. 10, “Ang Pamumuno” (or Leadership).
When I accompanied him one time on his talk, he started with a story. It is about a war wherein a soldier saw a cross. On that cross is the image of Jesus without hands and feet, destroyed when the enemies bombed the Church. This soldier, then, wrote something and put it on top of the cross. It reads,
“We are the hands and feet of Jesus Christ!”
Lord Jesus, I have put the nails through Your hands and feet. I have thrust the spear through Your side. I have done this because of my sins. And I am doing this because I still sin. Your forgiveness is my only hope. And Your forgiveness You have given – purely, unconditional, selfless – all out of love. We have to know our purpose and our destiny. Otherwise, we would just be focusing on our crosses, complaining how heavy and difficult they are.
Let me be Your hands and feet as we I journey in this temporary life. Teach me to even carry my own cross, imitating the obedient and perfect life that You have shown us. Let me reach out to others and let them feel Your unending love. Though I know that I am not worthy to receive You, but only say the word and I shall be healed.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, let us understand that the crosses that come our way were never meant to hinder us from reaching our God-given destiny. Rather, they were meant to help us and strengthen us so we can be the kind of persons we are supposed to be. Teach us to take our eyes off our suffering for a moment, and see the blessings being poured upon us in the process. Amen +
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
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