Mark 8.31-end In this Gospel Jesus is asking his followers to do something that seems to be outrageous, demanding and unreasonable - deny themselves, take up their cross and follow him. What are we being called to deny? What is the cross we are being asked to take up? Is it the cross he will eventually be nailed to for our sins? Jesus and his disciples were surrounded by evidence of Roman occupation. One thing they all saw was the summary execution by crucifixion. In Hollywood films Jesus always carries (or sometimes drags) a full cross. Not very practical, it takes too much time. Most executes carried the cross-bar, which was heavy enough, but it could be fitted on posts already in the ground. To carry this is hard enough. This is what Jesus is trying to show his disciples - it is not easy following Our Lord, carrying whatever he asks us to, following him wherever he leads and denying ourselves. This is a Lent call. What we are being asked to do is to deny our worldly desires and pleasures, and to be engaged in the service of others. Service means being humble, putting the interests of others before ours, but not in a timorous, self-deprecating way. We are called to be witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ boldly. We are to put God and other people first. Those are the two great commandments. “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” In this lockdown Lent we are socially distanced but we do not have to be socially unconcerned. Peter cannot see this. How can Jesus fulfil Peter’s expectations of him if he is going to be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and be killed? This is a lesson he will only really learn when the cock crows and he finds he has failed Jesus. When Jesus looks back at him at his trial, he sees Jesus’ love even in the face of death. He bursts into tears, as he realises what Jesus meant by telling them to be ready to deny themselves, take up their cross and follow him. He sees what that means for him and for all of us. Love of God and others conquers all and is the theme for this Lent. To sustain us through Lent as we carry his cross, through prayer and fasting, we are called to look into Jesus’ eyes again and again, until we reach Easter Day. Almighty God, by the prayer and discipline of Lent may we enter into the mystery of Christ’s sufferings, and by following in his Way come to share in his glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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AuthorCanon John Green Archives
May 2021
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