Most of us are pretty spoiled. Almost everything we do benefits only us. How will this action benefit me? Will it help me get a better job? Will it help me make more money so I can get more “stuff”?

In today’s Gospel reading, MK 8:34-35, Jesus tells us we must take up our cross and follow him. Taking up our cross means to put others first. Instead of thinking about ourselves and what’s in it for me we need to think what’s better for others.

Instead of buying that new car why don’t we spend the money on feeding a homeless person. Instead of spending all day Sunday watching football why don’t we spend some of that time helping at a clinic that takes care of unwed mothers, the ones who didn’t kill their babies.

Yes we need to take care of ourselves but we can get by without having the best of everything. I learned this lesson the hard way. There was a time when I didn’t know if we were going to have any dinner or go to bed hungry. My wife and I quickly learned there were plenty of things we could do without. Sure we missed having 200 channels on the television, we could get by with the lowest tier.

Now it’s time we use that extra money to help others. Right now it’s helping a family member who is struggling financially because of a divorce. We have had to help her find a place to live. It has made it a little harder for us but this is our cross that we choose to carry.

And he called to him the multitude with his disciples, and said to them, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ¶ For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it

The Holy Bible. 2006. Revised Standard Version; Second Catholic Edition. San Francisco: Ignatius Press.