Led by Heidi Jakoby
First Reflection:
Mark 8:27-37 (The Message)
27Jesus and his disciples headed out for the villages around Caesarea Philippi. As they walked, he asked, "Who do the people say I am?"
28"Some say 'John the Baptizer,'" they said. "Others say 'Elijah.' Still others say 'one of the prophets.'"
29He then asked, "And you—what are you saying about me? Who am I?"
Peter gave the answer: "You are the Christ, the Messiah."
30-32Jesus warned them to keep it quiet, not to breathe a word of it to anyone. He then began explaining things to them: "It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive." He said this simply and clearly so they couldn't miss it.
32-33But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. "Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works."
34-37Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?
Prayer: O God, through suffering and rejection you bring forth our salvation, and by the glory of the cross you transform our lives. Grant that for the sake of the gospel we may rebuke the lure of evil, take up our cross, and follow your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen (Bread for the Day 2009 Augsburg Fortress)
Second Reflection:
Chapter 56: Make a Decision: Tigger or Eeyore
OK. So which one are you? And why? If you’d like to be more of a Tigger, how might you go about that?
From the Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
Check out the full lecture and listen for this reference about one hour in. There are more details in the book. Think about how the entire lecture relates to the reading from Mark.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo
Prayer: Blessed are you, O Lord, as you provide for your people in surprising ways. When we face difficulties and dangers, or directions and answers that unsettle us, open our eyes to see you making all things new through Jesus Christ. Amen (Bread for the Day 2009 Augsburg Fortress)
Third Reflection:
From The Velveteen Principles by Toni Raiten-D’Antonio
To Be Real in a World of Objects
“As I peeked over my magazine I became strangely jealous. Here she was, at the end of her life, physically debilitated and struggling. But she was not shy or embarrassed. Instead, she exuded a peaceful sense of certainty about who she was and her inherent value. It was clear that her husband adored her and cherished every moment they spent together. I considered his tattoo and thought of the time when he was young and probably quite obsessed with pretty women. And who knows, maybe his wife was once the girl who had fulfilled his fantasy. But in the moment I witnessed, what he loved was the true and essential person inside the body, the invisible beauty he may not have seen in younger years.”
Prayer: O God, you inspire goodness and call us to holy living. In the cross of Christ you show us the perfect and ultimate harmony of faith and good works. Conform our lives to the ways of the cross today. Amen (Bread for the Day 2009 Augsburg Fortress)
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