The Church lives under the cross.
Following Jesus brings countless blessings, but among them are not leisure and freedom from trouble. As believers carry out their work as the Church, they can expect opposition and hardship. Carrying a cross often identifies a person as a Christian.
Prayer:
O God, you have called your servants to ventures of faith of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.