September 08
Follow Me
As one enters the Administration Building at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, one looks up the stairs to the left and sees the following words inscribed on a marble wall in large letters:
Εἴ τις θέλει ὀπίσω μου ἐλθεῖν, ἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτὸν καὶ ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀκολουθείτω μοι.
If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
I remember when I first set foot on those hallowed grounds back in September of 1972 and how impressed I was by that inscription. A quote from the Bible, but one that spoke directly to me. Obviously, that was the intent because this passage speaks to those who would dedicate their lives to the priesthood. Obviously, those words bear a special meaning for seminarians. That is why they mark the entrance to the seminary’s administration building.
For all of us, though, this quote applies to our lives. It challenges us to assess our personal commitment as well. Jesus was not speaking to seminarians. He was speaking to disciples. We are all among those who wish to follow Christ, are we not? If so, then we too are called to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow.
I find it so incredibly interesting that the Lord Christ Jesus connects self-denial with our taking up our cross. It is clear that his message is that we are called to imitate Him, to follow Him where he led us. He denied Himself and willing sacrificed Himself on the cross.
So, let us take up our cross whatever it may be, but know this, our cross will not be easy to carry in our lives. Otherwise, it would not require the element of self-sacrifice. But it does. It must.
