When Jesus asked the disciples “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” Jesus responded by talking about his suffering and death. When Peter objected Jesus told him “You are not thinking as God thinks.” To reinforce the message Jesus then gathered the crowd and told them: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” Life is full of crosses — no extraordinary penances are necessary. Do we look on those crosses as something to be avoided at all cost or as opportunities to lean more on the everlasting arms. There is a Quaker saying: no cross, no crown. No one can expect to achieve anything worthwhile without taking up their cross.