It was the beginning of Lent when I heard again, very strongly, the words of Jesus:
“If anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross every day, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)
I had read these words many times.
I had preached them.
I had explained them.
But that morning they were not just a teaching…
They were an uncomfortable invitation.
The road was beginning to become narrow.
In the Gospel, Jesus never promised an easy or wide path. Instead, He spoke about a narrow gate. The disciples learned this very quickly.
When Jesus began to speak about His Passion, Peter tried to stop Him.
He said, “This will never happen to you!” (Matthew 16:22)
Peter loved Jesus.
But he still wanted a Messiah who was comfortable, approved, and successful.
He was not ready for a crucified Messiah.
I saw myself in Peter.
I had also learned to follow Jesus… as long as the path was reasonable.
As long as ministry was fruitful.
As long as people were happy.
As long as my decisions were understood.
But that Lent something changed. There was a pastoral decision I knew I had to make.
It would not be popular.
It would not bring applause.
It might bring misunderstanding.
Inside me I felt a quiet struggle
between fidelity and approval.
And there I understood something very important:
Discipleship is not about approval.
It is about choice.
That is discipleship.
It is choosing to align my decisions not with comfort, but with the Gospel.
Not with what is easier, but with what is more faithful.
Not with what protects my image, but with what reflects Christ.
Lent asks me again:
Who am I really following?
Because following Jesus is not just admiring Him.
It is walking behind Him when the road becomes narrow.
It is trusting that the cross is not a dead end, but a bridge.
A bridge that makes me free.
Passionist spirituality teaches me not to look at the Cross as a observer, but as a disciple.
Memoria Passionis is not longing.
It is commitment.
It is remembering crucified Love so that I can live it today.
And so, in this Lent, the road may become smaller.
Maybe in my relationships.
Maybe in my decisions.
Maybe in silent sacrifices that no one sees.
But the Father sees in secret. And every loss embraced with love becomes a seed of Resurrection.
Because discipleship does not end at the Cross.
The Cross is the threshold. Loss is the door.
And fidelity is the path to discipleship.
Very thought-provoking and insightful reflection! Thank you so much, Teresa!!
What a beautiful, challenging reflection. Thank you Teresa! So much to reflect on. I am struck by you statement, “Discipleship is not about acceptance… not with what protects my image, but with what reflects Christ.”