Posted by The WORD in other words (2019) by Father Bernard Abrazado SVD – Divine Word Seminary of Tagaytay
Friday 18th Week in Ordinary Time
In a typical Filipino household, children as early as six years old are trained to do chores such as washing dishes and cleaning the house. However, as years pass, parents often become more protective, sparing their children from these duties. Sometimes, children even bargain to receive something in exchange for doing chores—a new scooter, an iPad, or even a trip to Disneyland—and parents at times gladly oblige.
Yet today’s Gospel reminds us of something deeper: “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Even children can be taught early about sharing, giving up something, and expecting nothing in return.
We adults know the practice of bringing our own baon when invited to potluck meals or parties. This reminds us of our responsibility to contribute something to the table. In the same way, the Gospel teaches that to enter the eternal banquet, we must “bring our own baon”—our cross.
The cross is not only a symbol of suffering but also the ticket to resurrection. “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27).
The Gospel challenges us to move beyond a consumerist mindset of “what can I get?” toward a Christian mindset of “what can I give?” True discipleship means investing ourselves—our time, energy, and even our sacrifices—for the sake of God’s Kingdom. “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
“Lord, teach me to carry my cross with love. Help me to share generously, to give without expecting anything in return, and to see in my sacrifices the path to resurrection. May my ‘baon’ be my offering to You, who gave everything for me.”
