The Cross

The cross is a difficult sell.  For people who want and can have comfort, most needs met, and lot's of wants satisfied, you won't get far with "pick up your cross."  That is why the Gospel, and maybe religion is general works better with oppressed and poor, who see no way out.  Here, they already bear a cross of suffering.  Religion makes sense of their cross by saying, "It is transforming."  You are transformed by the cross, yes.  Lots of poverty in Mexico and Central Africa.  Lots of Catholics there too. Not sure about transformation though.  It takes courage, the path to martyrdom, to preach social justice in those places.  The rich aren't interested in crosses in those places.  Come to think of it, Silicon Valleys all over the world probably are a bit lite on the message of the cross.