February 25, Lent 2B (Mark 8:31–38)
What a roller coaster for the disciples: They are following the Messiah! And doing so will cost them everything.
I have late-stage recurrent cancer and do not react well to people telling me to focus on the positive, which happens more often than many without cancer may realize. People want to distance themselves from those of us who live with disease, and dispensing advice seems to be one way. I doubt that I would react any better if someone told me to consider cancer a cross I need to take up so that I may better deny myself and follow Jesus. I relate to the resistance the disciples must feel when Jesus says this to them in this week’s gospel reading.
The passage comes directly after Jesus asks his disciples who people are saying he is. They respond John the Baptist, Elijah, a prophet. Then Jesus asks them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter declares that Jesus is the Messiah.
That must feel like a winning moment for the disciples. They have been following Jesus and witnessing miracles, from healing to feeding thousands of people with what appear to be insufficient resources. They have selected their leader wisely, and now he has admitted that yes, he is the one, though they aren’t supposed to tell anyone.
