I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
      who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
      and born of the virgin Mary.
      He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
      was crucified, died, and was buried;
      he descended to hell.
      The third day he rose again from the dead.
      He ascended to heaven
      and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
      From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
      the holy catholic* church,
      the communion of saints,
      the forgiveness of sins,
      the resurrection of the body,
      and the life everlasting. Amen.

As a follower of Christ, I know that being a disciple is not always easy. It requires sacrifice, courage, and commitment. I will work on denying selfish desires and carrying my own cross every day, whether it’s through facing challenges or making tough choices that honor God. I will do my best to live a life that shows others the love of Jesus, not just through words, but through how I treat people. By staying close to God and living out His message, I hope to be a true disciple, not just in name, but in the way I live my life each day.

Denying myself means letting go of my own desires, interests, and will, and instead, embracing God's will for me. It requires humility, self-awareness, and a willingness to surrender my ego. As Jesus taught, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23). By denying myself, I will be able to see the world through God's eyes and respond to His love.

Taking up my cross signifies embracing the challenges and sufferings that come with following Christ. It means being willing to face difficulties, persecutions, and hardships for the sake of the Gospel. As St. Paul wrote, "I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings" (Philippians 3:10). By carrying my cross, I will be conformed to Christ's image and participate in His redemptive mission.

Following Christ means walking in His footsteps, living according to His teachings, and imitating His love. It requires a deepening relationship with God through prayer, Scripture, and sacraments. As Jesus said, "If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love" (John 15:10). By following Christ, I will experience the joy, peace, and fulfillment that come from living a life surrendered to God.

To live as a disciple of Christ, I will strive to:

- Cultivate a daily prayer life, seeking God's guidance and strength

- Study and reflect on Sacred Scripture, allowing God's Word to shape my thoughts and actions

- Participate in the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist and Reconciliation

- Serve others with humility, compassion, and kindness

- Embody the values of the Beatitudes, living a life of simplicity, mercy, and peace

In conclusion, following Christ is a lifelong journey that requires dedication, perseverance, and sacrifice. As I strive to deny myself, take up my cross, and follow Him, I am confident that I will experience the transformative power of God's love. May His grace guide me on this journey, and may I become a faithful disciple, reflecting His light to a world in need of hope and redemption.

Being a Follower of Jesus To follow Jesus, we must live as He taught. The Bible says we must "stop thinking of ourselves and carry our cross each day." This means putting God first. We can be kind and love everyone. Jesus said to love others like ourselves. Help those in need, be gentle, and forgive others. Also, talk to God and read the Bible. Pray to ask for help. Read the Bible to learn about Jesus. This helps us get closer to God. It's not always easy. We will have hard times. But trust God, and He will make us strong. Put others first, help people, and stay close to God. Then we truly follow Jesus.

them Mary wouldn't name the son.

As a disciple of Christ, as Luke 9:23 instructs,Embracing one's cross means facing life's challenges with unwavering faith, trusting in God's presence amidst hardship. Following Christ involves studying scripture, praying, and striving to emulate His compassion in our actions. Through these daily acts of selflessness, faith, and love, we embody Christ's teachings and transform the world around us.

Discipleship is defined by Jesus’s absolute command in Luke 9:23: “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” This powerful scripture requires a total reorientation of life around three daily commitments.

Firstly, to deny oneself is the conscious rejection of the selfish ego and comfort, choosing instead to prioritize humility and the needs of others over personal ambition. It is a constant act of submission to God’s will.

Secondly, to take up his cross daily means humbly accepting the specific hardships, duties, and resistance that come with living a faithful life. The disciple carries these burdens with patience, transforming them into a meaningful act of solidarity with Christ.

Finally, to follow Christ demands active imitation through a life saturated with justice, compassion, and service. All personal and public actions must be rooted in sacrificial love, reflecting the Master's example.

In sum, authentic discipleship is the rigorous daily practice of self-denial, humble endurance, and radical, purposeful obedience to the call of Christ.

7-HONESTY

To deny oneself means letting go of personal desires,interests,and priorities that may conflict with God's will. It's an invitation to surrender my ego and self-centeredness, embracing humility and obedience instead. In my daily life,this might mean choosing over other activities,or being willing to set aside my own preferences for the benefit of others.

Taking up one's cross daily is often a challenging concept to grasp,but it symbolizes embracing the struggles and hardships that come with following Christ. It's about perseverance,resilience, and trust in God's plan even when faced with uncertainty or adversity. For me,This might mean standing firm in my faith during difficult times,seeking support from fellow believers, and finding strength in prayer and scripture.

Following Jesus is the core of my discipleship. It's about cultivating a deep,personal relationship with Him through prayer,scripture,and acts of service.As I strive to follow in His footsteps, I aim to to embody the values of compassion,forgiveness,and love that Jesus demonstrated during His time on earth.This might involve volunteering,engaging in community service,or simply being present for those around me who need support.

In essence,living out Luke 9:23 requires a daily commitment to surrender,perseverance and devotion. As i journey on this path,I pray for the guidance and strength to live a life that reflects the teachings of Christ,and to be a light to those around me.