THE SECOND MILE: THE CALL OF A DISCIPLE
The Romans pressed Simon the Cyrenian into their service to aid Jesus in carrying His cross to Calvary. Jesus tells us in the sacred scriptures: “Unless you pick up your cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.”
Carrying our own cross seems to be a useless and unwanted burden in life. The trials of suffering and spiritual challenge often overwhelm us and can set us into a place of doubt. But, as we learn from Simon, we must walk with Christ under His cross to gain the necessary perspective of the value of redemptive suffering! What does Simon experience in this intimate encounter? How does it change him from being a simple “passer-by” to a great disciple?
As Fr. John loves to do for his conferences, he has chosen a painting depicting the scene that we will meditate upon and use as a reference to the story that is told. The painting will give us the focus of our meditation and the challenge to imagine ourselves sharing in this act of true Mercy which leads to discipleship.
SCHEDULE OF CONFERENCES
Still working around Fr. John’s chemotherapy sessions, presentations will be every other Friday following the Stations of the Cross at Immaculate Conception:
- Friday, March 4 – Who is this man from Cyrene?
- Friday, March 18 – “My Yoke is easy and my Burden is Light”
- Friday, April 1 – The Second Mile