There’s a sign posted on the fence along a rural highway. Beyond the fence is a ranch house in the distance. The sign indicates that the property owners must be church-going people. It says: “PRAYER is the best way to meet the Lord.” Underneath that line, it says: “TRESPASSING is faster!”
In today’s Gospel, Jesus shows the disciples that while it might be nice for him to continue to pray, teach and heal, he must instead go to Jerusalem and be killed. Jesus is called to trespass against the ways of the day in order to bring new life to all humankind.
Jesus tells his disciples that his own death is a mirror for what must happen in their lives. Each person must take up the cross and follow. What that means in daily life for each person will be different since our cross is our own. But accepting it and carrying it is what is means to follow Jesus.
