Second Sunday In Lent: What Is Your Cross?


Lectionary passages for this week:  Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Psalm 22:23-31, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38, Mark 9:2-9.
Giving up something for Lent maybe be difficult, but it (generally) is a small sacrifice It is a   a symbolic gesture which reflects this passage from Mark:   "He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."

We all carry our own personal crosses.  Our burdens might be physical, mental, spiritual or any number of other things.  Heavy or light, they can wear us down over time.  But whatever your cross might be, it's important to remember that you are not alone.  No one need carry their cross by themselves.  And I mean this in more than the metaphorical way.  Yes, God is always there for us as it says in Matthew 11:  . “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" and Isaiah 41:  For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you."  As much as God has made each of us unique, we are also cut from the same cloth and no matter what your burden might be there IS someone out there who may not be able to remove it, but can ease it. Whether you pray for guidance or turn to Google to find an answer, know that while you may symbolically carry a cross this Lenten season, you need not walk alone with your troubles.  Help is there, perhaps even in amazing ways that we had never considered.

When you are troubled, know that the Lord is there to listen and that God has placed angels among us to guide us, if not to peace, then at least to a place of rest.

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