Trinity 13
Collect
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.
Praying Together 11th May 2025
Wherever there are people who have no freedom to make choices about their lives, where there is inequality and injustice, slavery exists.
Praying Together 4th May 2025
But difficult as it is to forgive, it is even harder to be forgiven – even though words of forgiveness have been offered, there will be times during early sleepless hours of wondering whether it will ever be possible to forgive oneself.
Praying Together April 27th 2025
The passage from Matthew’s Gospel gives a warning and example against which every Christian teacher and leader must be tested. As fallen humans, everyone will fall short of perfection– but we can measure lives against it.
Praying Together 20th April 2025
So together, morning, noon and night, we shout Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Praying Together 13th April 2025
He is sinless, we were not – but He takes our sin unto Himself, allowing us the freedom to choose to serve His purpose rather than our own
Praying Together 6th April 2025
Everyone runs in her own way, or his own way. And where does the power come from, to see the race to its end? From within. Jesus said, ‘Behold, the Kingdom of God is within you.
Praying Together 30th March 2025
As Julian of Norwich wrote, ‘the example of a mother’s service is closest, most willing, and most sure because it is most true’, and thus we use that example as part of our Lenten journey.
Praying Together 23rd March 2025
God gives us the freedom to make that choice, and will always offer us another chance when we fail, as He did to the barren fig tree.
Praying Together 16 March 2025
Unlike the other tragic heroes, Jesus has no flaw or blemish other than those inflicted by others: the scars on His back, the thorn-blood on His forehead, the betrayal by His friend.
Praying Together March 9th 2025
God’s demand for perfection need not discourage you in the least in your present attempts to be good, or even in your present failures.
Praying Together 2nd March 2025
God of the nations, whose sovereign rule brings justice and peace, have mercy on our broken and divided world.
Praying Together 23 February 2025
Meditation for the Second Sunday before Lent CollectAlmighty God,you have created the heavens and the earthand made us in your own image:Teach us to discern your hand in all your worksand your likeness in all your children;through Jesus Christ our Lord,who with you...