This second week of our Lenten sermon series (“What are you Up To?”), we come to Jesus’ incredibly challenging words about discipleship, calling those who would follow Him to “take UP your cross”. What does this mean? Are we to expect suffering and death like Jesus on the cross? Jesus was very clear that following him might not be a smooth ride. To take up the cross was to lose one’s life — to let go of certain expectations of safety and acceptance in order to stand for the Gospel message of love. How are we to take up the causes of Jesus — justice, righteousness, and mercy– in our day?