102. “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34)

“If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34)

YOUCAT Catechism + Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 102

Ave Maria series

102  Why are we, too, supposed to accept suffering in our lives and thus “take up our cross” and thereby follow Jesus?

Christians should not seek suffering, but when they are confronted with an unavoidable suffering, it can become meaningful for them if they unite their suffering with the suffering of Christ: “Christ… suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21).  [618]

Return of the Prodigal Son painted by Murillo 1667-1670 illustrates the suffering love of Jesus for every person. …..102

Jesus said, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34).  Christians have the task of alleviating suffering in the world.  Nevertheless, there will still be suffering.  In faith we can accept our own suffering and share the suffering of others.  In this way human suffering becomes united with the redeeming love of Christ and thus part of the divine power that changes the world for the better.

 [618]

Our participation in Christ's sacrifice

618 The cross is the unique sacrifice of Christ, the "one mediator between God and men". (1 Timothy 2:5.)⁴⁵² But because in his incarnate divine person he has in some way united himself to every man, "the possibility of being made partners, in a way known to God, in the paschal mystery" is offered to all men. (Gaudium et Spes 22 § 5; compare GS 22 § 2.)⁴⁵³ He calls his disciples to "take up [their] cross and follow [him]", (Matthew 16:24.)⁴⁵⁴ for "Christ also suffered for [us], leaving [us] an example so that [we] should follow in his steps." (1 Peter 2:21.)⁴⁵⁵ In fact Jesus desires to associate with his redeeming sacrifice those who were to be its first beneficiaries. (Compare Mark 10:39; John 21:18-19; Colossians 1:24.)⁴⁵⁶ This is achieved supremely in the case of his mother, who was associated more intimately than any other person in the mystery of his redemptive suffering. (Compare Luke 2:35.)⁴⁵⁷  –Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

Apart from the cross there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven. (St. Rose of Lima, compare P. Hansen, Vita mirabilis (Louvain, 1668).)⁴⁵⁸ --CCC