It Ain't Heavy - It's Just a Cross

A typlcal commercial plane can carry about 1.3 times its own weight in passengers and luggage. But, aerodynamically speaking, a dragonfly is superior; it can easilly flight-lift seven times its own weight.

When the burdens of life weight us down, we may feel at times that we are carrying far more than our own weight. From the time of Christ, society has given a name to these burdens - they're called crosses. Even before Jesus carried and died on his own cross, he told his followers, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Lk 9:23).

In citing that classic passage, often overlooked is the word "daily." For most, it is not too hard to put up with even a heavy burden for a short while. But on our long "transcontinental" flight from here to eternity, long-term hardships - that is, the "daily," ongoing troubles - can be truly wearisome. And yet, the heavy weight seems to decrease as one's strength increases with daily perseverance.

Every burden-wearied person can find strength-restoring rest in loving, intimacy with Jesus: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give your rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, .... and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Mt 11:28-30).

This excerpt is from the book One-Minute Meditations for Busy People, by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/video recordings can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408 or www.Catholicbooks.net