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“What were you arguing about on the way?” (Mark 9:33)

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Mark uses this phrase – “on the way” – repeatedly to describe Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem. But he gives it a double meaning.

On the surface, Mark’s referring to that physical journey Jesus makes.

But on a deeper level, he’s referring to Jesus’ own inner journey towards his death.

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As Jesus tells his disciples plainly in today’s Gospel, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him.”

He knows when he enters Jerusalem, his life is over.

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Imagine carrying the weight of that knowledge in your mind. 

If I said to you, for example, once you cross the Pennsylvania line, you’re dead. How many of us would run away or drive in the opposite direction?

That’s just self-preservation 101. Avoid all unnecessary danger.

But Jesus doesn’t. 

Day by day, step by step, he teaches in their synagogues, heals their sick, and prepares his disciples for his death. 

In that sense, Jesus carried his cross long before that wooden beam was laid on his shoulders.

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Tomorrow we begin the journey of Lent, 40 days of increased fasting, almsgiving, and prayer.

At times that journey may feel like a steep climb; we may be tempted to give up, to give in, to turn around.

But just as Jesus persevered, so should we.

How can we make this Lent count? In what ways can we take the road less traveled?

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If we persevere, then we’ll only be stronger disciples come Easter.

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Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”

Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.”

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Although Peter understands who Jesus is, he still doesn’t understand the implications of that.

As Savior of the world, Jesus must suffer. And as his disciple, Peter must suffer, too. That’s a truth he will struggle to accept for the rest of his life.

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Like Peter, how often we shy away from suffering for the Lord.

We lose our temper when we should hold our tongue. We give into temptation, even when our conscience urges us not to. 

We ignore the poor when we pass them on the street. We’re selfish with our time; slow to forgive; private about our faith.

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“Get behind me Satan!”

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It is the strongest rebuke Jesus ever says – and he says it to Peter for not embracing his cross. 

Yet Jesus will still entrust Peter with the future of the Church, because Peter’s a model for all of us. He reminds us about the paradox of Christianity.

Our faith is a constant story of flight and return; of sin and forgiveness; of failure and redemption.

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“Who do you say that I am?”

“You are the Christ.”

May our words and actions reflect this truth today.

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Perhaps what distinguishes five-star hotels from the rest is service.

When you arrive, the valet will take your car. The bell-hop will take your luggage to your room.

The next morning, you can call down for room service; a maid will bring you fresh towels, make your bed, and maybe leave a chocolate on your pillow.

They are all there to serve you.

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Too often Jesus is treated like a bell-hop. He is only here to serve us.

In the Gospel, for example, people lay their sick in the marketplaces, the town center, outside their homes, on the edge of town. 

Wherever they can lay them. 

They’re not after Jesus or his heart; they’re after his power.

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It seems to be part of our human nature to take things for granted – and by extension – to take God for granted.

We’ve all known a fair-weather friend. Such a person always comes around when they need something from us. But they disappear when we something from need them.

Then there are Catholics who only come to Church for a sacrament – a baptism, a wedding, a funeral. But they never give back. 

The Church only exists to serve them.

The same can be true for God. It’s a timeless temptation to knock on heaven’s door when we need the Lord.

But are we there when the Lord needs us?

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The final command that Jesus gives to Peter – and by extension – to all of us is to, “feed his lambs.” Meaning to care for the poor, to visit the sick, to clothe the naked, to be generous to all.

God has already given us so much. How might we give a little back today?