Embracing the cross means embracing...

Vulnerability. This means letting go of pride/ego; the things that you are using to protect yourself from hurt keep away love until all you have is pride which results in a hardened heart that is not able to give or receive love and keeps God at arms length.  Being vulnerable means being naked, helpless, open to hurt, abandoned, letting go of everything, giving up everything like Christ on the Cross.  When you are vulnerable your heart remains open and soft...physically your body is open for an embrace--a hug--or a punch in the gut. Your body and heart are open like Christ's were on the cross to pain and love.  "Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do."  "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"