Peter's confession. What does it mean for us now, when we stand at the Cross and Pascha is still so far away? Pascha is far away, but the Cross is always before our eyes, and how necessary it is for us at this moment to hear: "You are the Christ." Because we are tired, because we are weak, because now the fast seems endlessly long to us, and the promised joy so undeserved. But this confession of Peter, which is so generously given to us today, both strengthens and confirms us; and, being spoken in such a difficult time, it makes us remember another confession. Mary's confession.

How hard it was for Mary to live out the Good News, how heavy it was for her to bear this burden, and she went to Elizabeth. Not in order to share this burden with her. No, for it was her burden alone. She made this journey because she simply needed very much to see someone close to her. So that someone dear could simply be nearby. And now this other confession of faith is given to us. "And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord" (Luke 1:46). The fast has passed the middle - the hardest time. We have already had time to grow tired, and Pascha is still so far away. And now two wonderful confessions of faith in Jesus are given to us. "Unwedded Virgin and All-Pure Mother, having received the annunciation from the Archangel, you hastened with care into the hill country; and having greeted your kinswoman, the most honorable Elizabeth, you were called by her the Mother of the Lord, and you magnified the Lord who magnified you: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the Fruit of your womb" (the troparion for the day of the Praise of the Most Holy Mother of God, that is, for today). Let us also magnify the Lord; and although Pascha is still far away, it will come, and each one will be magnified.

The Savior's words, "whoever wants to follow Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me," give us astonishingly concrete instructions. The meaning of His words only seems hard for us to understand. The reason is that it is hard to want to fulfill them.

The experience of life among people, which every person has, gives us an inner knowledge of what it means to deny oneself. It means living not for the sake of your own interests, or any other exalted interests, and not giving others your time and strength as though you were doing them a great favor. It means that another person's need for you, for your help, for your attention, is more important than your needs for anything else. It means that people not only give you an opportunity for humility, but imperiously and harshly demand it, extending their claims to rule right to the very center of your personality.

To accept this for Christ's sake is what it means to take up your cross. The human heart knows all this. At times we even have to act according to this commandment, because there is no other way to build healthy relationships with people. But this happiness turns out to be so painful that it is very hard to agree to it for the sake of the Crucified One.

What did the disciples experience when they heard "take up your cross"? For they had not yet passed through that terrible night and the day that followed. Jesus tells them that He will be the first to go to the Cross, but these are still only words, which neither mind nor soul can contain. The words of the apostle Paul sound entirely different: I have been crucified with Christ (Gal. 2:19). These are words "afterward." And though they speak about the same thing, about ascending the cross for His sake and for the sake of people, they already sound different, as if they breathe the light of the Resurrection.

But we must still try, even though at times it feels impossible, to return, as it were, to the darkness into which these words plunged the disciples, so as to share it with them. This is absolutely necessary, because we must walk the whole path from beginning to end.