Jesus summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them,
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake
and that of the Gospel will save it.
What profit is there for one to gain the whole world
and forfeit his life?
What could one give in exchange for his life?
Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words
in this faithless and sinful generation,
the Son of Man will be ashamed of
when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” Mark 8:34-9:1

He also said to them,
“Amen, I say to you,
there are some standing here who will not taste death
until they see that the Kingdom of God has come in power.”

Mark notes that Jesus summoned the crowd  with his disciples as he begins his journey to Jerusalem. Here is a promise and a teaching meant for all.

Jesus tells those who wish to know “his Father’s glory” and see the Kingdom of God come in power that they must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow him. 

It’s no small gain he promises, not the riches or honors or pleasures human thinking can conceive. It’s no less than the Father’s glory and the glory of his kingdom. No less than your life must be given for that goal

He tells us all to take up the cross that comes from the circumstances of our lives, the cross that comes from life in our world, from the life we choose to lead and how we lead it. 

His call is made to all humanity. All creation is called to join him on his journey to Jerusalem.