In this weekend’s Gospel Reading, our Lord Jesus tells us that discipleship involves suffering. He teaches the disciples that the “Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” Too many times in our lives we want the resurrection to take place without the pain and suffering of the cross. The resurrection gives meaning to the trials and sufferings of our lives. Our Lord Jesus reminds us that being a disciple means that we will have to carry our crosses, whatever they may be. Only then will we be able to experience the joy of the resurrection. May we take some time this week to reflect upon this teaching and to ask the Lord to help us embrace whatever crosses we face in our lives. HAVE A GREAT WEEK! Fr. Jim