Gospel
Mark 8:27-35
Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" They said in reply, "John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets." And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said to him in reply, "You are the Christ." Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him. He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do." He 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."
Sermon
My brothers and sisters in Christ, today's Gospel passage presents us with a pivotal moment in the ministry of Jesus. He asks his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" And they respond with various answers - John the Baptist, Elijah, one of the prophets. But then Jesus asks the crucial question, "But who do you say that I am?" And Peter responds, "You are the Christ."
This is a moment of great revelation, but also of great misunderstanding. Peter and the other disciples do not yet understand the true nature of Jesus' mission and identity. They think that being the Christ means power and glory, not suffering and death.
But Jesus knows that his path leads to the cross, and he tries to teach his disciples this hard truth. He tells them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly, be rejected, and be killed. But Peter, still thinking in human terms, rebukes Jesus, refusing to accept this reality.
Jesus responds with a stern rebuke, "Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do." This is a powerful reminder that our thinking must be transformed to align with God's ways, not our own.
Finally, Jesus teaches the crowd and his disciples that to follow him means to deny oneself, take up one's cross, and follow him. This is the true meaning of discipleship - not seeking power or glory, but surrendering our lives to Jesus and his gospel.
May we be inspired by Jesus' words to reflect on our own understanding of his identity and mission. May we be willing to surrender our lives to him and follow him on the path of the cross.
Prayer
Let us pray: + In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Almighty, merciful, and loving God, we come before you, reflecting on the true identity of Jesus. We acknowledge that our understanding of him is often limited and flawed, like the disciples who thought being the Christ meant power and glory.
Forgive us for our misunderstanding and help us to see Jesus as he truly is - the Son of Man who suffered greatly, was rejected, and was killed for our sake.
Transform our thinking to align with your ways, not our own. Help us to surrender our lives to Jesus and his gospel, to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him.
We pray for the courage to follow Jesus on the path of the cross, to surrender our own desires and ambitions, and to seek his will above all else.
May we be inspired by Jesus' words and example, and may we be willing to follow him wherever he leads.
In Jesus' most holy name we pray, Amen.
Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you,
Rev. Fr. Jhimerson Maneclang,SCJ