Read – reflect – respond (in prayer, silence, possibly a comment)
Lectio Divina – sacred reading
Luke 9:18-25
Peter’s Declaration about Jesus
18 Once when Jesus* was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say that I am?’ 19They answered, ‘John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.’ 20He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered, ‘The Messiah* of God.’
Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
21 He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, 22saying, ‘The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.’
23 Then he said to them all, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. 25What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?
Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favour, and further us with your continual help; that in all our works begun continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy Name, and, finally, by your mercy, obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Not all comments will automatically be added. Only if they enrich our Lent. No anonymous comments.
How to respond to Thursday after Ash Wednesday when it is still Ash Wednesday here!
But yes, let us deny ourselves and take up our cross….particularly good attitude in today’s global turmoil!
Commanded to not tell anyone…this strikes me that so often I feel less than people who talk their faith, that somehow I should also. Today I am reminded that, perhaps like the Twelve Step programs, living the spiritual life is really more about attraction than promotion…
Saving and Losing…. as I approach retirement and moving house, I am having to let go of many surplus books and other items. And I know that in this recession there are many others who are having to let go of homes, jobs, possessions.
Speaking for myself, all this is much harder to do than I had imagined. But I can see that in all these events we are called to something that is part of the great mystery of the way of the Cross
I wonder sometimes if Jesus was asking the disciples not to speak of what He told them because they might tip off the authorities. Or could it have been that He didn’t want them to put themselves in any more danger than they were already. Jesus had spoken like this before. This was not the first time that the warning not to tell had been given. After all, it was His place and not theirs to go through this.
For me, to tell some of the ways I see God working in my life almost seems like bragging, which is not the intent. Maybe this was a way for Jesus to remain in His humility while He was still with His followers. To those who would believe, they will see Jesus for who He is. No explanation needed!