To take up one’s cross to follow Jesus is to embrace the daily sacrifices, challenges, and sufferings that come with following Jesus, which ultimately led to His crucifixion. It signifies a willingness to die to one's self and submit our will entirely to God's will. It is a continual decision, not a one-time event. Peter’s rejection of Christ’s suffering reflects a worldly mindset that seeks success and comfort rather than God’s will. Jesus’ sharp words of rebuke to Peter shows that he did not understand God's plan, and he rejected the idea of suffering wanting to avoid the Cross. By trying to stop Jesus from fulfilling His saving sacrifice, Peter was unknowingly acting as an adversary (the meaning of Satan) to God's plan of salvation and redemption. Jesus was not a helpless or passive victim during his Passion and death. Instead, the Church teaches that Christ willingly, knowingly, and sovereignly offered his life out of love for the Father and humanity. By entering into our experience of suffering, Jesus shows us that if we unite our struggles to Him, we will truly be with Him in Paradise.