Isaiah 50: 4c-9a    James 2: 14-18     Mark 8:27-35

The reading from the prophet Isaiah and also from the Gospel of Mark remind us of the anticipated passion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. The disciples do not understand the ramifications of this. It is always easy to follow someone when things are going well and you can be uplifted. It is more difficult to stand by those in times of suffering, pain, sorrow and death. Jesus tells Peter in a straight forward manner that the road to Jerusalem leading to suffering and death can not be changed for after all there is a real cross to bear in following Jesus.

In today’s world there is so much to be saddened about. Children suffering and abused. Immigrants with no place to turn. Refugees seeking for a decent way of life. All of these things are of great concern to The Lord. But in truth we are His disciples and we are the ones who are called to do something about it.

As we go through our daily lives we must never forget the challenge and commitment that we have made to follow Jesus no matter what. Jesus is asking us, where do you stand? What will you do? Indeed Peter had the right answer about who Jesus is, but he had a false notion of what it means to be the messiah. Peter is looking for worldly glory and success when he says you are the Christ, but he would learn as all of us do that there is a price to be paid in following Jesus.

Maybe we should ask ourselves this weekend, how do we imagine Christ a messiah? Is it triumph, glory, suffering? What about our commitment to follow Him wherever He goes?