Daily cross
Gospel: Luke 9: 18-24 "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." LIFE IS difficult; its many hardships and demands are like a cross one has to bear daily. One big chunk of this cross is the work one has to perform mostly in order to live and sustain one's own existence and of those of his dependents. Carrying this cross would need some strength which cannot be merely physical, mental or emotional, but, one which draws power from the Source of all strength and energy. The human person needs super human powers to be able to meaningfully and fruitfully bear his daily cross, and also his daily work. He needs to be united with Jesus and to follow Him daily too, in order make his cross bearing supernaturally beneficial for the human worker.
Uniting with Jesus in one's mind and heart may not lighten the weight and burden of daily work. The worker certainly gets exhausted and even go through life-threatening, physical or mental situations because of his job; but, Jesus assures anyone who follows Him and suffers all and every kind of suffering, even to the point of losing one's life for His sake, a share and participation in His risen and glorious life. Believing in the words of Jesus, the worker could find meaning, value and the needed strength to work as best as he can, bearing all the burdens and difficulties of his work. Working simply for selfish and material reasons would not be enough to give the worker strength and perseverance in doing his job well.
The thought of Jesus and His presence in the believer's life and work brings alive the personal and the relational dimension of daily work, which otherwise would be something mechanical, impersonal, routine acts empty of a heart and a soul. It will be a tremendous help for the worker to habitually keep the person of Jesus alive in his mind and heart, so that his actions and works may be inspired by His love for the Father and for all of us. The worker's constant union with Jesus will transform his daily cross into a daily source of true joy and satisfaction.