# Good Friday – Reaching Out to Help Others
*2016-03-25*

> Bill Young reflects on the call to carry the cross and reach out to those in need, using the Good Friday reading from Luke 14:27 as a guide.

## The Call of the Cross

The Gospel reading for today, Luke 14:27, says, “Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” The cross invites us to be pierced by Christ’s love, teaching us to look upon others with mercy and tenderness, especially those who suffer or need a word or a concrete action.

## Examples from the Passion

We see different responses to the cross in the Passion narrative. Pilate chose to wash his hands and remain indifferent, refusing to take responsibility for Jesus’ fate. In contrast, Simon of Cyrene stepped forward to help Jesus carry the heavy cross, and women like Mary Magdalene stayed beside Him until the very end, offering love and tenderness.

## A Personal Question

Bill asks each listener to consider which response they will choose. Will we be like Pilate, turning away and claiming ignorance? Or will we follow Simon’s example, offering our strength to bear another’s burden? Or will we, like the women who stood with Christ, remain present with compassion until the end?

## Prayer for Outreach

He closes with a prayer: “Jesus, help me reach out to others as you did, to make their lives better. May we all answer your call to carry the cross together.”

*Good Friday asks us to decide how we will respond to Christ’s invitation to bear one another’s crosses.*