Who do People Say that I Am – Reflection on Mark 8:27-35
Who do people say that I am? Isn’t Jesus asking the question to each of us? If we could listen in on conversations of our friends and family, would we hear them saying he is a Christian? Would it only be because they know we go to Church or perhaps talk of the Word? Or, would we hear them discussing how we pray and are present or what we do for others? Do you think they understand why you deny your own needs to do so? Sacrifice, being and doing for those who need us, is relative. For instance, if you needed to purchase a car, would you downsize the vehicle so you can afford to use the savings to help someone in need? Hidden from most is prayer, and physical doing for others is a way of denying Satan any form of victory.
Get Thee Behind Me Satan by James Tissot (full-resolution image of painting).
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Mark 8:27-35 – Scripture*
Peter’s Declaration about Jesus
27 Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29 He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” 30 And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.
Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Mark 8:27-35 Reflection – Who do People Say that I Am?
This site has written permission from New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) to use the Mark 8 Bible passage.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate your expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions. Amen.
Attributions
* This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible for the passage of Mark 8.
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Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Who do People Say that I Am
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