Take up the Cross

"Anyone can wear one. But can you bear one?" Jesus told the disciples that to follow him, they must deny themselves and take up their cross. Some have taken this to mean that we must be as strong as Jesus and bear our cross like him. But Lent is a time of discovering the degree to which we are UNABLE to bear our cross. We are incapable of doing what Jesus did. But thankfully the sacrifice he made is complete, we don't have to die on a cross. When we accept with humility that we need intervention and help beyond ourselves, Jesus bears our cross with us. So that we can testify along with Paul who wrote, I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me.