“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)

Luke added “Daily” in taking up his cross and following me. (Luke 9:23)

The word “Daily” is important because we easily have too many worries which will distract us and resulting in being unable to live attentively at the present moment.

Jesus used a parable of the foolish rich man to teach us how important it is for us to value the present moment, “There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest. He asked himself, 'What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?'

And he said, 'This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods and I shall say to myself, "Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!"

But God said to him, 'You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?' Thus will it be for the one who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich in what matters to God." (Luke 12:16-21)

A young man came to Jesus and asked for the way to inherit eternal life. Then Jesus answered him whether he follow the commandments, "He replied and said to him, "Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth." Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, "You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to (the) poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions." (Mark 10:20-22)
The wealth of this rich young man became his own cross.

Let us listen to a touching lesson by Jesus, “Do not worry about your life and what you will eat, or about your body and what you will wear. For life is more than food and the body more than clothing.

Notice the ravens: they do not sow or reap; they have neither storehouse nor barn, yet God feeds them. How much more important are you than birds!

Can any of you by worrying add a moment to your lifespan? If even the smallest things are beyond your control, why are you anxious about the rest?

Notice how the flowers grow. They do not toil or spin. But I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of them.

If God so clothes the grass in the field that grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?

As for you, do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not worry anymore. All the nations of the world seek for these things, and your Father knows that you need them.

Instead, seek his kingdom, and these other things will be given you besides."  (Luke 12:22-31)

Lord, please grant us the grace of perseverance to follow you!