by Marcia Mount Shoop
Psalm 22:23-31; Mark 8:31-38
When Jesus says, “take up your cross and follow me,” he is telling us not to pack light on our journey in his service. He is asking us to bring our whole selves.
Bring all your shame, your suffering—the suffering you bear and the suffering you cause, the suffering that has made you stronger and the suffering that has left you weary, diminished, not sure if you can go on—pick it all up and bring it with you—your doubts and your fears, your anger and your despair. And bring it with you because whatever you deny that you have, cannot be healed.