God's Promises through Suffering, Mark 8:31-38, Romans 8:31-39

As Jesus begins teaching his disciples directly about his crucifixion, St. Peter rebukes Jesus for thinking that the Messiah must suffer. However, Jesus turns the tables on St. Peter and points out to him and all that we all must suffer and die in light of his own death and resurrection. Through this, we come to know more deeply the love of Christ for us.

Image: The Crucifixion, unknown artist, public domain, from the J. Paul Getty Museum. Image location: https://www.getty.edu/art/collection/object/107TX5#full-artwork-details

Unable to Help Myself, Mark 8.31-38

After hearing the confession of Peter regarding Jesus’ true identity, Jesus begins teaching them about what the Messiah must do. But Peter rejects this only to be rebuked by Jesus and confronted, alongside the disciples and others, with the reality that we are to take up our own crosses. How does this truth connect to our Collect of the Day that says that God knows that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves? Father Jeremiah brings these together revealing the work of God in us.