"Apart from the cross, there is no Christ, but apart from the cross, there can be no Christian either.” (Pope Francis) Just as the cross was central to the life and ministry of Jesus, so it is for each Christian. We cannot talk about Jesus without talking about the cross. Just as there is no resurrection without the cross. The same is true about one who is truly a follower of Christ. Christ made this clear when he said: "Unless you take up your cross daily, you cannot be my disciple." Jesus did not relish in the cross. He relished in the Father's will which included the cross. So too with us. Our focus is to embrace the will of the Father, which includes the cross.