In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, Christ says, “If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Fr. Micah believes that these words can be distilled into one word, the central theme of today’s homily: patience.

He gives examples of how we practice patience in our everyday lives — from fishing and farming to marriage and parenting. However, when we follow Christ, we must not only practice this self-denial for individual gain and for our friends and family, but also for the stranger. We must be patient with those whom we find difficult, listen to those with whom we disagree, and deny ourselves today for a future we may never see. When we endure, wait, and persevere, St. Paul says that what remains is faith, hope, and love. What will remain if we deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow him will be faith in him, hope in him, and his love.