Posted January 23, 2008
It Ain’t Heavy – It’s Just a Cross
A typical commercial plane can carry about 1.3 times its own weight in passengers and luggage. But aerodynamically speaking, a dragonfly is superior; it can easily flight-lift seven times its own weight. When the burdens of life weigh us down, we may at times feel that we are carrying far more than our weight. From the time of Christ, society has given a name to these burdens-they’re called crosses.
Even before Jesus carried and died on his own cross, he told his followers, “If anyone would come after he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Lk 9:23).
In citing that classic passage, often overlooked is the word “daily.” For most, it is not too hard to put up with even a heavy burden for a short while. But on our long “transcontinental” flight from here to eternity, long-term hardships-that is, the “daily,” ongoing troubles-can be truly wearisome. And yet, the heavy weight seems to decrease as one’s strength increases with daily perseverance.
Every burden-wearied person can find strength-restoring rest in loving intimacy with Jesus: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, … and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Mt 11:28-30).
“One-Minute Meditations for Busy People” by Fr. John H. Hampsch, C.M.F.