A Catholic Monthly Magazine

Friday 7 August

Nahum 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7; Canticle Deuteronomy 32:1-12; Matthew 16:24-28

A way of life

The 'take up a cross' image is often used to describe putting up with life’s burdens: a difficult boss, sickness. For the disciples, it is a political image of rejection, marginalisation and death. This cruel Roman form of execution was for foreigners, criminals and slaves. The call of Jesus to “take up their cross” means choosing a life of marginalisation – to identify with nobodies and those who resisted Rome’s version of reality. God raises Jesus from the dead. He establishes God’s basileia over all, including the basileia of Rome. Who are the nobodies I am called to identify with?

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