If anyone wishes to come after me…he must take up his cross daily and follow me. (Lk. 9:22-25)

Today’s gospel reading is one of many during this Lenten season where Jesus addresses what he will have to go through as well as the invitation to follow him along this same journey. This can certainly be a stumbling block as we may feel we don’t want to do anything too hard.  Yet, as followers of Christ, we must also pick up our cross. What does it mean for you to deny yourself?  What are the crosses that you must take up, in love, and carry for as long as it is yours? They may seem small in comparison to others, or they may seem too heavy to carry. We must not, however, be so distracted by the challenges we face that we fail to embrace the entire promise: “whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”