“Now, what does ‘Let him take up his cross’ mean? Put up with all that
is annoying: that is how they must follow me. To tell the truth, when
they follow me, imitating my conduct and keeping my commandments, they
will have many who will try to oppose them, forbid them, dissuade
them, and this will be done by those same people who appear to be
followers of Christ.”
–St. Augustine–Sermon 96, 4
Prayer: O Lord, my God, what is the kernel of your deep mystery? How
far from it have I been led by the consequences of my sins!
–St. Augustine–Confessions 11, 31