GOSPEL
At that time: When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.’ Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, ‘Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.’ But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.’
Every day, in every moment, we have a choice: follow Satan by clinging to our own judgement, thinking in worldly terms, rejecting the Cross… or follow Christ by denying ourselves, taking up our daily cross (even the small, annoying ones), and offering ourselves in love, with Him and in Him.
As St Teresa of Ávila said, “In the Cross is life and consolation; it alone is the road to Heaven.”
When we embrace our daily cross, we are embracing Christ crucified, consoling Him.
Will we miss the daily opportunities we’re given to love Him more?
Applied to Married Life
Claire: The tiniest thing? You’ve done it again! You ignore me completely, you don’t consider me at all!
George: You’re overreacting. Don’t you see I need my space?
Claire: Your space? I’m your wife! (Storms out and slams the door.)
(Twenty minutes later, she returns.)
Claire: George… please, shall we pray together? It hurts so much when we argue.
(They begin to pray. After a few quiet moments in the presence of God…)
Claire: Lord, forgive me for the way I spoke to George. He’s my husband, the greatest gift You’ve given me. He’s the person You’ve placed by my side so I can learn to love—and I do love him, madly. I long so deeply for a marriage that reflects Your will. But I know I won’t get there by shouting or acting this way. Help me not to focus on his faults, but only on his beautiful heart and his deep desire to love me more each day.
George: Lord, thank You so much for Claire. She brings light where I have none. You know how much I love her, but sometimes I act without thinking, focused on myself. I don’t mean to hurt her, but it’s still wrong. Please help me not to get stuck on her temper. Help me to do things for her, putting her first. Teach me to forget myself. That’s what You did, Lord. That’s the path to joy—the path of self-gift, the path of love. The path to Heaven. Claire, I’m sorry. I love you so much.
Claire: Jesus, thank You for this wonderful man You’ve given me. George, thank you… you’re amazing. Come here and give me the biggest hug!
Mother,
Thank you for everything. Please help us to deny ourselves, to embrace the daily Cross alongside you, and so follow your Son—consoling Him and loving Him. Praised be the Lord!