But, if truth be told, 

I have nothing to complain about…

especially when I think about friends of mine

who work in the oil refineries up at Borger.

 

I used to be the pastor

of St John’s Church in Borger.

As most of you know,

four large oil refineries 

surround that town.

 

Each refinery has tall chimneys. 

Day after day and on through the nights

huge columns of smoke billow

from blast furnaces 

that burn at temperatures

exceeding 2,200 degrees.

 

I know men who spend their days

repairing and painting

those silos and smokestacks 

hundreds of feet above the ground.

 

Before climbing those immense structures,

these workers slip into fire-resistant Haz-mat suits 

with helmets,

then buckle safety harnesses around their chests and waists.

 

        As they scale the ladders.

        they attach, release then reattach hooks 

        at the end of metal cables 

        to the rungs on the ladders

 to catch them

 in the event they slip

 and fall from a tower.

 

***

 

In today’s gospel, Jesus says that,

if we want to be true disciples of his,

we must pick up our cross and follow him.

 

When we hear this, we usually think of the cross

as a duty to shoulder...

something heavy and burdensome.

But, in actuality, it function to protects us.

 

      Like a car seat protects a child

      Like a football helmet protects a quarter back

      Like a medical gown protects a nurse.

      Like safety glasses protect a welder.

 

“Pick up your cross,” says the Lord,

“Don’t be afraid. I got you covered.”