Yes, it is the irony of discipleship.
To follow Christ means
that we give up everything and follow him.
that we receive untold blessings in this life and eternal life with God in the life to come.
Yes, it is hard
Yes, the burden is light because we know our lives are not lived in vain, that we are living life as God intended it, and when life is over, it is not really over! We get to go home and be with our Lord!
Let us ask God to
give us courage to face the challenges that we must confront.
give us charity to deal appropriately with those we meet.
give us thankfulness for all that we have done to bless us.
give us clarity to see that living for Jesus is the best of all choices.