Praying Together 30th August 2026

So the commandment is a challenge. To love those who betray you. Those who jeer. Those who wield the whips embedded with flint, hammer in the nails, pierce your side.

Trinity 13

Collect

Almighty God, who called your Church to bear witness that you were in Christ reconciling the world to yourself: Help us to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may be drawn to you; through him who was lifted up on the cross, and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Romans 12: 9-12

9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. 11Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. 13Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly;* do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God;* for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ 20No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’ 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Matthew 16: 21-28

21 From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, ‘God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.’ 23But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. 26For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?

27 ‘For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. 28Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.’

Reflection

Today’s Gospel reading follows the developing story of Jesus’ ministry and teaching. Immediately before this Jesus has asked the disciples the question “Who do they say that I am?” – followed by another question to Peter “…and who do you say that I am?”

Peter answers – “You are the Christ, the son of the living God”.

Then the future plan begins to unfold as Jesus declares – “you are Peter, the rock, and upon you I will build my church”. Turning to the others he warns them to tell no one that is the Christ.

Just as the seasons change….there’s a clear change taking place here.

All good things turn to an end – seemingly?

Jesus has given Peter the shock of his life. Perhaps he was hearing things – how could his leader, teacher and closest friend possibly contemplate the journey into Jerusalem. Immediately Peter challenges him not to make that journey – it would end in tears. But Peter is in for an even bigger shock when Jesus rebukes him – “get away from me Satan – get behind me. This has to be done. You’re fixing your mind on things of this world and not on God’s Kingdom”.

Peter isn’t alone in his response – we all fall into that trap – albeit unintentionally. When we’re facing something that seems bigger than us – things we have no idea how to deal with – a sudden shock or change in our ‘ordered’ lives. When we feel out of control.

Let’s try to imagine how Jesus felt – or how Peter dealt with the shock-response following that unexpected and angry rebuke. The mixed emotions of the rest of that group of friends and followers.

Life’s like that from time to time for each one of us. Fear steals in; our faith is shaken. Yet not one of us has had to deal with what lay ahead for our Saviour. He too was human – tempted to take an easier route perhaps…

Yet, obedient to his Father he turned his face to Jerusalem. We need no reminder of the events that took place from this moment. A tragic story of humiliation, torture and death alongside a bunch of criminals. An innocent man who never told a lie went willingly to that cruel cross – willingly.

We know the joy of that Easter morning too – and the joy that filled the hearts of Jesus’ friends and followers as they began to understand the promises he had made.

That joy is ours – there for ever until we see him face-to-face.

BUT – just like those early disciples and apostles there’s an important work to continue. You and I are part of that bunch of followers – ordinary people – let’s keep that in mind – as we reach out to others, each and every day of our lives.