The 15th Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 19B), Sept. 17, 2006

BCP: Isaiah 50:4-9; Psalm 116 or 116:1-8; James 2:1-5, 8-10, 14-18; Mark 8:27-38 or Mark 9:14-29

RCL: Prov. 1:20-33 or Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 19 (opt. with Wisdom of Solomon 7:26-8:1) or Psalm 116:1-8; James 3:1-12; Mark 8:27-38

Who is Jesus? Peter can answer that question. He knows that Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus is not just a prophet or a preacher or a teacher. But what does it mean for Jesus to be the Messiah? Peter stumbles here. Jesus teaches the disciples that he must suffer greatly. Jesus will be rejected by the religious authorities, and killed, and rise after three days. This is an intolerable teaching for Peter, and he rebukes Jesus for it. He understands Jesus’ ministry differently. But Jesus rebukes Peter: “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things” (Mark 8:33).

Peter expects Jesus to be a “successful” Messiah, but Jesus’ life and ministry cannot be measured in terms of human ideas of success. In those terms, Jesus’ ministry will be a dismal failure. His promising “career” will be cut short by tragedy. Jesus will suffer much, and be rejected. He will frustrate Peter’s expectations. But Jesus’ ministry will be glorious in terms of the things of God. The love of God is shared by Jesus’ sacrifice, and known in the way of the cross.

The cross is the instrument of Jesus’ self-offering. The cross was a horrible and shameful way for a person to die, but Jesus embraced the cross to sacrifice himself in love. He gave himself completely on the cross for us and our salvation. And he commends the way of the cross to all who would follow him. As a practical matter, few of us will be nailed to pieces of wood and put to death for our faith. But we can embrace a life of self-sacrifice for love.

We can face the difficulties of faith, and what faith asks of us. We can offer ourselves regardless of the public reception we receive, or the popularity of our efforts. We can stand ready to resist peer pressure or the prevailing culture when our faith calls us to live a different life. We can seek to remove the obstacles that come between us and the love of God, even when that means real sacrifices that hurt. We can do our best to make sure our actions and decisions reflect our faith. We can look beyond appearances to the reality of God’s love in the world and the challenges we must face as we accept God’s love. We can participate in Jesus’ generosity and compassion as we sacrifice ourselves in love every day. We share his love as we walk his way, the way of the cross.

Look It Up

The Prayer Book Catechism says that we share Christ’s victory in baptism (p. 850). A collect at the Easter Vigil prays that God will grant us to die daily to sin, so we may evermore live with Christ in the joy of his resurrection (BCP, p. 295).

Think About It

Do you evaluate your ministry or your parish in terms of conventional standards and expectations for success? What sacrifices do you make for faith? How do you take up your cross daily to follow Jesus?

Next Sunday

The 16th Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 20B), Sept. 24, 2006

BCP: Wisdom of Solomon 1:16-2:1 (6-11) 12-22; Psalm 54; James 3:16-4:6; Mark 9:30-37

RCL: Prov. 31:10-31 or Wisdom of Solomon 1:16-2:1, 12-22; Psalm 1 or Psalm 54 (opt. with Jer. 11:18-20); James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a; Mark 9:30-37