"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." --Mark 8:34

In a homily today, the priest pointed out that it says we must take up our cross. It does not say we must bear our cross. These words of Christ do not mean endure and bear your pains and sufferings. It means that it is our choice to take up the cross, to carry and live the Gospel! We will all suffer; it is rather a matter of choice for whom we will suffer. This requires action, not passivity. Either we will choose to suffer for God, and offer it up to Him and glorify Him, or we will offer it to the devil for his evil designs. It says take up your cross. Christ is the one who who will carry our cross--it is too heavy for us! In fact, He has already carried our cross. But in order for Him to carry it for us, we must choose to take it up!