A Gospel according to Mark 8:27-33
Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.” Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
REFLECTION: “But who do you say that I am?”
I really enjoy reading about St. Peter. Most often than not he is saying or doing something totally off of what Jesus is trying to teach him.
Jesus asks the disciples what others say about Him. And then asks them whom they say He is.
I can picture the disciples with surprise expressions, wide eyed, mouths shut.
And Peter, recognizes Him as the Christ.
And moments later, when Jesus tells him and the rest of the disciples of his upcoming death on the cross, Peter rebukes the Lord for saying these things. So our Lord has to chastise him a little.
Peter is just like all of us, imperfect. And at this point of his life, his love of the Lord is also imperfect. Some times doing or saying the right thing, and two minutes later all the way "in left field."
But he kept trying. And even after betraying the Lord, he had the humility to come back.
I know I have to learn more from him, and recognize when I've taken a wrong turn in my life. Go to confession, and start again.
Let's pray to St. Peter for the grace of perseverance in spite of ourselves. So we can follow the Lord wherever He wishes to take us.
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