Good Morning,
Welcome to your online worship from St. Mark’s for Sunday, September 15, 2024 as we continue through the Season of Creation.
In my sermon for this Sunday, we explore a pivotal moment in Mark 8:27-38 when Jesus asks his disciples, ‘Who do you say that I am?’ It challenges us to reflect on our own response to this question and the daily decision to follow Jesus.
Today’s Opening Sentence
I do not glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. – Galatians 6 .1 4
Today’s Reading – Mark 8:27-38
Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.
Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”1
Your Online Message and Prayers
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Reflection questions for the week:
- How do I personally answer Jesus’ question: ‘Who do you say that I am?’ and how does that answer shape my daily life?
- What are the areas in my life where I need to deny myself and make more room for God’s presence and will?
- What does ‘taking up my cross’ look like in my everyday circumstances? How am I living out my faith through love, service, and sacrifice?
- In what ways am I open to the ongoing process of being transformed by Christ? How can I allow God to lead me more fully on my journey of discipleship?
A continued reminder that if you are at all uncomfortable being in-person for worship, or if you are not feeling well, please join us here online.
Thank you again for joining with your parish family in our online worship today.
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God Bless you and have a blessed week. Be well!
Peace,
The Rev’d Canon Rob Park
- Scripture quotation is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.