Two Crosses

Et tollat crucem suam quotidie, et sequatur me. Duobus etenim modis crux tollitur, cum aut per abstinentiam afficitur corpus, aut per compassionem proximi affligitur animus. Pensemus qualiter utroque modo Paulus crucem suam tulerit, qui dicebat: Castigo corpus meum, et in servitutem redigo, ne forte aliis praedicans, ipse reprobus efficiar. Ecce in afflictione corporis audivimus crucem carnis, nunc in compassione proximi audiamus crucem mentis. Ait: Quis infirmatur, et ego non infirmor? Quis scandalizatur, et ego non uror? Sed in utraque crucis bajulatione notandum quod hanc et quotidie tollere, et ea sumpta Dominum sequi jubemur. Sanctus Beda, In Luci Evangelium Expositio, Liber III, Caput IX Source: Migne PL 92.452c

And let him take up his own cross every day and follow me. 1 Indeed the cross is taken up in two ways, when either the body is afflicted with abstinence or the soul is afflicted with compassion for a neighbour. Let us think of how Paul took up his own cross in two ways, he who said, 'I chastised my body and reduced it to servitude, lest perhaps preaching to others, I make myself blameworthy.' 2  Observe that in the affliction of the body we have heard of the cross of the flesh, and now in compassion for a neighbour let us hear of the cross of the mind. He says, 'Who is weak and I am not weak? Who is scandalised and I do not burn?' 3 And in both struggles of the cross let it be noted that it is to be taken up every day, and with these things taken up we are commanded to follow the Lord. Saint Bede, Commentary on the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 9 1 Lk 9.23 2 1 Cor 9.27 3 2 Cor 11.29