What does it take to follow Jesus?

 
Not only words build the man, but, above all, behavior. Apparently obvious, this precept is full of meaning. Why, then, do we resist incorporating it into our acts?

We talk about love, and we do not love. About pity, and we do not dedicate ourselves to God. About fraternity, and we have no brothers. About charity, and we cherish selfishness. What is wrong with us? What kind of psychosphere do we have around us? What to do?

Follow Jesus. But to follow Jesus only one attitude is necessary. It takes sacrifice. To imitate Christ is to sacrifice oneself. The sacrifice of little desires which are peculiar to us. Within the family, sacrifice our pride and give up the desire to be respected. At work, sacrifice our selfishness and give up the desire to cooperate only when it is convenient. In the Spirit Center, sacrifice our authoritarianism and give up the desire to impose our point of view.

Emmanuel, in the book Fonte Viva – Living Sorce, chapter 140, tells us about following Jesus:

"The world is still a huge Jerusalem, gathering creatures of the most varied hues, but if you approach to the Gospel with sincerity and fervor, put the cross on your heart." (Fonte Viva - Living Source, Chapter 140)

Become stronger to bear a heavier cross!

Let us remember that the Cyrenean was compelled, unwillingly, to carry the cross of the Nazarene, unwillingly following the path of the Master, and yet being immortalized as the man who benefited Jesus.

A good, as they say, even forced is always good.

"From then on you will be compelled to the greatest demonstrations of renunciation, you will rarely notice fatigue and anguish, and despite your condition of servant, with the same problems of others, you will be required to perform shows of humility and resistance, heroism and loyalty to good." (Fonte Viva - Living Source, Chapter 140)

These demands come not only from the debauched and infirm, but especially from our obsessors and opponents and from the enemies of the Gospel.

"Suffer and work with eyes turned to the Divine Light. From above shall the invisible torrents of the heavenly springs descend to your spirit, and you shall overcome valiantly. For the time being, the cross is still the sign of faithful apprentices." (Fonte Viva - Living Source, Chapter 140)

God does not give us a greater burden than our strength; Gives only what we can carry, as a well-known saying goes. We received from the Father forces that allow us to carry burdens we would not have borne in other times. In addition, we receive copious consolations that keep us refreshed in the fight.

"If you do not have the marks of your testimony for responsibility, for work, for sacrifice, or for intimate improvement, you may love the Master deeply, but it is almost certain that you are not yet standing with him on the redemptive journey. Let us, therefore, bless our cross and follow it, dismal, seeking the victory of love and the eternal resurrection." (Fonte Viva - Living Source, Chapter 140)

It is strange to us when Emmanuel speaks about resurrection. But his teaching is accurate, because, in truth, we are as dead in our unbridled desires, in our lust. We need then to re-emerge, so that we integrate in the straight path, in the route of eternal ascension. And only the cross can make us wake up to this reality.