Mariam was treated harshly. She wept bitterly.
Rabbi Jesus told her gently, "There is no crown without first the thorns."
Holiness is not won by faint heart. Each of us has a personal cross of suffering during this lifetime. The bravest "kiss the cross daily when they pick it up."
Life's difficulties and heartaches - which may serve to purify us of self-interest and sin when accepted with the right spirit - are not always easy for us to accept.
Yet, even if we wish to flee the cross of life's suffering, we will never succeed. Let us then be strong in following Jesus.
Jesus told us: "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me." (Luke 9:23)
To take up our cross daily means our absolute surrender to following Jesus Christ - including acceptance of the sorrows and difficulties such a life of discipleship may entail.
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