Then he (Jesus) said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. (Luke 9:23)

Dear brothers & sisters in Christ,       

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior. Amen.

Once again, Lent is quickly approaching. Ironically, Ash Wednesday coincides with Valentine’s Day this year. What greater love exists than the love of Christ given in absolution? “This is my body, given for you. This is my blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sin.” The love shown in God’s gift of His Son surpasses all understanding.

As disciples, our lives emanate out of that amazing love. Discipleship is following Christ and spreading that love. It is not always easy. In fact, Jesus warned His disciples that it would rarely be easy. Various things in us and outside of us tempt us away from lives of discipleship. Life is full of challenges. We face these challenges with God’s help. We face these challenges and temptations with Christ Himself walking with us.

This year, our theme will be to explore some of the struggles of discipleship. Our Midweek Gospel canticle is ‘Take Up Your Cross, the Savior Said.’ We will hear from various witnesses to Christ’s crucifixion. Each week two soliloquys will react to an event described in the gospels. Following Jesus has always come with challenges. The struggles of generations past continue to speak to our own struggle to ‘take up the cross.’ We will conclude our service praying for God’s continued guidance through the challenges in our own lives of discipleship.

Each day, we begin anew, forgiven by the great love of Jesus. Each day, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we take up our cross and follow the one true God. Each and every day, the grace and peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

“Take up your cross,” the Savior said,
“If you would my disciple be;
Forsake the past, and come this day,
And humbly follow after me.” (Charles W. Everest, 1814-1877)