When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem. St. Luke’s Gospel turns on this scene. The idiom in Greek for “resolutely determined” is “set his face.” No more distractions, no veering left or right, all ahead full. The public ministry in Galilee of preaching and healing has done all that it can to introduce Jesus to the world. But the mission He received in coming into the world will only be accomplished in the Holy City, the center of life for the people of God. The cross was not, therefore, an unfortunate accident but a necessary part of the mission of Jesus. Picking up our daily cross is likewise part of the divine plan.
