Sunday After The Exaltation Of The Holy Cross

Slava Isusu Hristu! Glory be to Jesus Christ!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

Now that we are leaving the cycle of the celebrations of the Holy Cross, we are not to forget that the Cross is with us each and every day of our lives. That’s why, maybe, today’s Gospel is telling us: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mk 8:34). Some translations have the word “deny” translated as “turn from selfish ways”.

We are exactly to notice the words “selfish ways” here. They mean that not only I have to carry my own cross in life, but I am invited to help my brother and sister to carry theirs. We are to be for each other, we are to support one another, and we are to help one another… In one word we are to love one another with the true unselfish Christian love. How and where can we find the power to do so, we might ask? According to the words of St. Paul we can find them only in the Cross: “I glory in the Cross of Jesus. I find my strength in the Cross.” (Gal. 6:14).

God bless!

Fr. Janko!