Christ the King Parish in Detroit shared a reflection in their Aug. 30 bulletin from Dcn. Joe Urbiel on the topic of taking up the cross.

“The beginning phrase of today’s Gospel passage shifts the focus of Matthew’s testament to Jesus’ pilgrimage to Jerusalem where he will be rejected, suffer greatly and die, and rise on the third day,” Urbiel said in the bulletin.

Jesus has begun to start introducing his disciples to the idea that he will be dying; but when Peter begins to question this reality, Jesus rebukes him, telling him to “get behind.”

Immediately before this passage, Peter confesses that Jesus is indeed the Messiah and the Son of God; but he quickly becomes caught up in the temptation to try to dictate the future rather than letting Christ lead and being content to follow.

“Jesus tells us that we must deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow him to that same destiny as his... the rejection, the suffering and the cross that leads to resurrection,” Urbiel said.

As followers of Christ, we must do more than simply believe that he is the Son of God. We must be willing to live in a constant state of surrender and be selfless disciples of Christ. While it may be more difficult some days than others, it is what God requires of us.

“We could simply be ready to move on and away from this pandemic and all the other disheartening and tragic events of this year so far, hoping for a return to normal,” Urbiel said. “Or, we can take up the cross of this moment and follow Jesus to lead us to a new and better way.”

Urbiel compels the congregation to accept what it means to follow Christ, constantly perfecting the art of denying oneself in order to better serve and follow him.