In this Sunday’s liturgy, we hear Jesus speak of the honest, open, and willing attitude necessary to follow him. The first half of the Gospel Reading reflects upon Peter wishing an easier, softer way for his Lord:

[Jesus] 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.”

In addition to self-denial, we may also run up against others who plead for us to minimize the impact of our past behavior. This can be found on a cultural level as certain behaviors (marijuana and pornography use, for example) are becoming more-and-more socially acceptable regardless of their social, emotional, physical, and spiritual consequences. Additionally, sometimes family members and friends have a hard time understanding the great lengths we go to in order to find freedom from the addictions, compulsions, and unhealthy attachments that have taken so much from us.

In this instance, Jesus did not allow the influence of Peter to direct his mission. He was steadfast in his efforts to give himself fully. When we walk the path of suffering love, as Jesus did, we are sure to meet resistance. Humans have a tendency to seek safety, comfort, and avoidance of pain. Peter wants to believe that the Christian life can be lived without the cross.

Jesus’ response seems harsh, but is a request for Peter to follow Him. In reality, Jesus is laying out the cost of discipleship:

He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them,
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake
and that of the gospel will save it.”

We must freely walk the path of suffering love if we are to call ourselves followers of Christ. Lip service is cheap; our actions have value. The path of protection and safety has its own costs, specifically the compromise of our soul and the loss of the person who God wants us to become. When we lean into the spiritual work of recovery, we march together with Jesus toward Jerusalem. Along the way, we are sure to meet a few who will distract us as well as plenty of people who we can invite into the herd.

Reflection Questions

• What cross do you carry and how have you shared the weight of it with others?
• What is going on in your life that you are avoiding, denying, or failing to take responsibility for?
• How have you overcome resistance that you’ve experienced along your recovery journey?

Sunday Mass Readings

First Reading: Isaiah 50:5-9a
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 116:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
Second Reading: James 2:14-18
Gospel: Mark 8:27-35

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General Recovery
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Lust Addiction Recovery

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General Recovery
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Lust Addiction Recovery