My cross is lighter Jesus says take up your cross and follow me.It Is a universal fact that everyone has to bear the burden however light and move through the journey of life to the grave with the burden of cross they are saddled with We are inclined to think that the weight of our cross is the heaviest in comparison to others. The man in a fable complained not being able to own shoes, untill he noticed to his dismay one withouf feet..Often we grumble , mourn and complain as to why we are destined to be subjected to pain and agony..How true the quote "no rose is without a thorn" In life ,the wife may a thorn to the husband and vice versa.Children are a nuisance to parents and the opposite is also true.Parents repent for being childless but others curse heavens to have disgraceful ofsprings Many a parent are confined to old age homes, dispossessed of their legitimate rights and forced to live a life of destitute and homeless. People have all the luxuries in life but I'll health deprives them of peace and joy..Some parents are even murdered for their wealth by their own children.Infidelity is a curse that destroys happy unions. Some lament for not being married , others cry for being divorced , abandoned for another. Wonder who in life on this earth is free from misfortunes ,troubles and pains.In every house there is a loss of a member either young ,old or just born It is futile exercise at self flagelation or entertaining guilt complex that our cross is due to sins of the past ancestors or are being under the spell of a curse or paying the debt of retribution . Our own mind and conscience will punish us for being on a wrong path. The wisdom, belief in retribution may provide a balm of solace but a fallacy rather then truth for non believers People ask why should we inherit the punishment for sins by our ancestors? .The wrong doers seem to have hay day and everything is just fine.It is often a camouflage.disguise of a storm brewing underneath. In the belief of retribution there is no point in blaming God or accusing him for the misfortunes that befall us The story of Job may be an illusive example that God puts us to fiery test to purify and strenghten our faith.As humans, we try to seek answers to our unending questions but in vain The question why does it happen to me and now will be clear, if only we see objectively around us how others are worst placed than us and for no faults of their own that can be recounted A family has lost the only bread winner or only son and child.A little further you will realise the couple have no biogical issue but adopted child has betrayed their trust A new born child is motherless at birth.Another is paralyzed and becomes invalid in a accident while many others are miraculously saved from jaws of dearh. .In many homes children are born with diseases with no hope for cure and are thus a burdened for life. Many are born with physical defects that make life difficult. One may have lost husband, son and daughter and is roaming aimlessly without a ray of hope. A child has lost both parents at a very young age. A person has lost all his material wealth and all his possesion including loved ones.For many life is a drudgery , stricken with poverty and aggravated by ill health.How do we imagine the plight of blind, deaf dumb and mentally derailed? Can we understand sufferings of those afflicted with incurable disease and praying for the end? Parents, orphans others are confined and languishing in hospitals, home for aged cursing their destiny. So many have no shelter over their heads, access to drinking water, food and clothing or even employment opportunity and are drifting in the ocean of storm of want and yet we complain inspite of being blessed and better of. If we continue to wallow in our own pains without observing others within our view and vicinity, we are bound to conclude that we are selected to be inflicted with torture in journey of life The consolation is not that everyone has a cross,but that we must have the determination and courage to live and adjust without self pity and apportioning blame.We must seek opportunity to reduce the pain of others by not exaggerating our own in a selfish way only looking inwards LIVING for others is one sure way ti enhance our worth and provides endless joy for being of use to others to lessen their burdens.Remember Simon helped Jesus and reduced the burden of weight to carry the cross Sharing our pains and sorrows not only makes it bearable but opens our eyes to reality that we are not alone destined to suffer Suffering often increases our happiness and makes us strong in spirit and belief. Resign to the enevitable praising God like Job in the Bible also in misfortunes Every suffering cannot be assigned to the will of God as also events of joy and happiness The answer to any of our sufferings and happiness does not lie in philosophy ,Theology, curse. Retribution and it is futile to seek cause and effect relations. I take comfort that there is no one answer as to why but to accept gracefully and move forward purposefully.
Nelson Lopes Chinchinim https://lopesnelsonnat.wordpress.com