“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
Daily Reflections
Thursday, 16thFebruary 2017,
Sixth Week in the Ordinary Time
Gen 9: 1-13;
Ps 102: 16-23;
Mk 8: 27-33.
FREEDOM FROM THE FEAR OF THE CROSS!
Jesus “began to teach” the Apostles that He would soon suffer greatly, be rejected and killed. This must have been difficult for the Apostles to accept and understand. At first, they would have experienced all the emotions and thoughts that we all go through when we process some difficult news. We may start with denial, then become angry, look for a way out, panic, be confused, etc. Going through stages of grief and acceptance are normal and it appears that this is what Peter was experiencing.
Peter takes Jesus aside and rebukes Him. It was most likely based in the fear that Peter was experiencing in his heart. Out of his interior struggle in coming to an acceptance of what Jesus was starting to reveal to them, Peter tried to put up a block. In Matthew’s account of this story we hear the actual words of Peter, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you” (Mt. 16:22). Peter’s words were certainly words of concern for Jesus, but it’s important to note that, just because Peter was concerned about Jesus, this doesn’t mean that his words were helpful.
As the story continues, Jesus rebukes Peter sternly, but it’s done out of love for Peter to help rid him of his fear and confusion. It’s understandable that Peter is fearful of the prediction of the Cross. It’s understandable when any one of us experiences fear in the face of some grave cross or hardship. The key here is to know that Jesus does not want us to sit in fear. He does not want us to run from the crosses we are given based on our human weakness. Instead, He wants us to turn to Him and try to think as He thinks, to act as He acts, and to face our hardships as He did by embracing His Cross. We should never allow the pain of any cross to deter you from carrying it. Let us pray that we have courage to face your crosses and, if needed, be open to the loving rebuke of Jesus when we find that we need a rebuke to set you on the path to freedom from fear.
Prayer: Lord, I know that You courageously and fearlessly faced the holy sacrifice of Your glorious Cross. As I am invited to follow in Your footsteps, I find that fear can overwhelm me as it did Peter. Please strengthen me in those times and give me the grace I need to say “Yes” to You no matter what You ask. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.
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