Category: Uncategorized

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Gospel: Luke 9: 18-22

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude,
and the disciples were with him,
he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”
They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah;
still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’”
Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.”
He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.

He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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The disciples have just returned from their first missionary journey, casting out demons and healing the sick. While sharing what fruit their adventure has yielded, Jesus asks them what people are saying; what’s the gossip going on in town?

He knows his actions and theirs have caused quite the stir – and rightfully so – and so he wonders, “Who do people say that I am?”

Only Peter gets it right. “The Christ of God.”

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Now that they see the big picture – they understand that Jesus is divine – he reveals more about his identity and plans. 

“The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected…and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

Such a serious turn of events would leave anyone confused and stunned. Just when Peter thought he had things figured out, Jesus turns his assumptions upside down. How can Jesus be so powerful – how can he be God! – and still suffer?

Surely, Jesus is mistaken. 

Shortly after this Gospel passage, Peter pulls Jesus aside and rebukes him, which leads to Jesus then calling Peter, “Satan.”

Again, a terribly confusing turn of events.

But this is often what it’s like on the journey of faith. Just when we think we have God figured out, he reveals something else about himself. 

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“So, who do you say that I am?”

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So long as we never lose sight of Christ’s divinity – so long as we keep placing our trust in him – then we’ll never be lost. 

We may be confused at times, but we must trust like Peter that the Lord knows what he’s doing and where he’s leading us: to life in abundance.

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Image credits: (1) St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Cabourg (2) Book of Mormon Central (3) I Love Jesus Christ

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Gospel: Luke 9: 7-9

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening,
and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying,
“John has been raised from the dead”;
others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”;
still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.”
But Herod said, “John I beheaded.
Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”
And he kept trying to see him.

The Gospel of the Lord.

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The story does not end well for King Herod.

He’s already made a series of horrible choices, including the beheading of John the Baptist, a decision he made while he was drunk.

But we’ve captured Herod at an interesting point in his journey; he’s “perplexed” – haunted – by John. He loved listening to him.

Even after John’s death, the Gospel tells us, “Herod kept trying to see him.” Meaning, he was still intrigued by John’s message of repentance and the coming of the Lord.

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That, to me, represents where so many in our world are at.

Thankfully, few in our world are as deranged as Herod. But many are “perplexed” by the Gospel message; they’re interested, but undecided. 

Faith can seem risky; difficult; life-changing… It is!

Just consider the ramifications that faith would’ve brought into Herod’s life. For starters, he would’ve had to stop living with his brother’s wife and repent for the murder of an innocent man, John the Baptist!

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How has my own life changed as a result of accepting the faith? And how do we encourage others in their own faith journeys?

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May we be emboldened by the life and ministry of John the Baptist, who was never afraid to live the truth and to share it, even at great personal cost.

Your witness just may change a life for the better.

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Image credits: (1) (2) Ideapod (3) SeekGrowlLove.com

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Gospel: Matthew 9: 9-13

As Jesus passed by,
he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, “Follow me.”
And he got up and followed him.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners came
and sat with Jesus and his disciples.
The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,
“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
He heard this and said,
“Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
Go and learn the meaning of the words,
I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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He said to him, “Follow me.”

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Saint Matthew had some idea of who Jesus was the day he called him. By then, talk was circulating around town about Jesus, the miracle worker.

It seemed understandable that when Jesus invited Matthew to follow him, he’d jump at the chance. He must’ve felt special; chosen.

But Matthew had no idea what answering that call with mean: that he’d help change the world; that his heart would be transformed; that he’d see Jesus raised from the dead; or that he’d bring the Gospel to Ethiopia, where he’d eventually be martyred.

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All he knew that day was this: Jesus of Nazareth was there, calling him by name. 

It’s all Matthew needed to know. Perhaps all he could handle.

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I’m sure looking back over our lives, there were times when we would’ve leapt for joy if we knew our future, and others when we would’ve shrieked in fear.

The same may be true if we knew what was in store for us tomorrow or the day after.

But our focus should always be on those words we often pray: “Give us this day our daily bread.” God only gives us what we can handle, one day at a time.

Maybe begin this day with one hope: that, whatever is in store, God may be glorified.

Saint Matthew, pray for us.

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Image credits: (1) In the Beginning, WordPress (2) The Calling of St. Matthew, Caravaggio (3) didyouknowfacts.com