Lectio Divina Reflection on Mark 8:27-35 ~
Who do people say that I am? Is this not Jesus asking the question for 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 deeper yet, would we hear them discussing our prayer life or what we do for others, denying our own needs to do so? Sacrifice is progressively relative such as downsizing the car we are about to buy and using the savings to help someone in need. Hidden from most is doing this as a way of denying Satan any form of victory.
Get Thee Behind Me Satan, James Tissot, Brooklyn Museum
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Mark 8:27-35
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 daily Gospel reading and considering this 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.
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Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.