"If anyone wants to be My disciple, they must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me" (Mk 8:34). This is a serious condition - to follow Jesus, and it is radical. Unlike those peculiar followers whose chief concern is getting saved by lip service, as long as one is right with Jesus, then the world's needs are secondary. The letter of St James is clear on faith and deeds – an integrated relationship that serves both.

Earlier, Jesus received a variety of answers to His question, "Who do you say I am?" and only Peter answered correctly, "You are the Messiah." Whilst Peter understood the term Messiah, or Christ, as one of glory and jubilation, he was not ready for the heavy burden Jesus would suffer. And as Prophet Isaiah related, "He, in many ways, was rejected by people in authority, He did not turn away."(Is 50:5)

Jesuit priest and martyr to the Nazis, Fr Alfred Delp SJ, once said, "Man is truly human only when he transcends himself." We are called to live beyond our wants and fears in this world if we truly want to follow Jesus.

What are the crosses, responsibilities I am invited to carry for others? Mindful of Jesus who carries His cross before me, and invites me to follow Him, I actually am not alone in carrying the cross of my life.