Take Up Your Cross&

     "Take up your cross and follow me."  These words have always brought to mind some serious suffering:  chronic illness, economic disaster, problems with children.  As the Sisters in the Catholic School taught us, all suffering (giving up candy, TV or ice cream) is a cross to bear, and suffering is good for the soul.
     However, as I prayed over this scripture passage the past view days, I kept seeing the image of Jesus carrying the cross being helped by Simon of Cyrene.  As I meditated on this image, I realized that Simon was following Jesus, carrying the cross!  This gives me a very different perspective on the command of Jesus.
     When I think that Jesus is in each of us, and whenever we help another we are helping Jesus, carrying our cross becomes an act of service!  I hear Jesus calling us to not just bear our own sufferings, but to help others who are suffering.  I hear him calling me to be Simon, helping others to carry their cross.
     During this Lenten season, I will try harder to smile through the tough times, I will make some sacrifices (because it's good for the soul), but my main focus will be to become Simon to as many others as I can.  In that way, I will be taking up the cross, and following Him.
    Marie Spoden