‘THOUGHT
FOR THE WEEK’ FROM THE REVEREND STEPHEN GUISE, PRIEST IN CHARGE –
TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY, 30 AUGUST
Fra
Angelico, Christ Glorified in the Court of Heaven, c1428-30, The
National Gallery, London
Dear Friends
To
our polite, middle-class ears, Jesus’ rebuke to Peter, for being
horrified at the thought of his master having to face a public and
shameful death on a cross, may seem almost savage and unnecessarily
strong.
But
perhaps having early on in his life of mission been tempted by Satan
with similar words, in an attempt to deflect him, Jesus sees the
danger that Peter could be beguiled away from the hard road of
discipleship. Jesus knows that he himself must pursue his destiny
and duty by accepting the cross, in order to fulfil what he had been
sent on earth to do – to save humanity. To do otherwise would be
to play into the hands of the Tempter.
It’s
a pivotal moment. Last week we saw Peter acknowledging Jesus’ true
identity with the words: ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the
living God’. But now, in today’s narrative, we see the same
disciple almost turning 180o
– failing to understand that, contrary to the interpretation of
many at the time, the Messiah’s destiny was to suffer and die.
Peter completely misreads the situation – ‘God forbid that this
should happen to you’. He little comprehends that it is imperative
that Jesus must take, not the broad and easy high road, but the
narrow path which will lead to the cross – to avoid this would be
to fail to fulfil the messianic purpose for which the Father had sent
him. It was, paradoxically, the only way in which Christ could open
the way to heaven for us, and hence, ultimately, to come in his
kingdom, with his angels in glory.
Fr
Stephen
Collect for the Twelfth Sunday after Trinity
Almighty and everlasting God,
you are always more than ready to hear us when we pray
and to give more then either we desire or deserve:
forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid
and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask
but through the merits and mediation
of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy SPiri,
one God, now and forever.
Amen
Romans 12:9-end
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans.
Let love be genuine;
hate what is evil,
hold fast to what is good;
love one another with mutual affection;
outdo one another in showing honour.
Do not lag in zeal,
be ardent in spirit,
serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope,
be patient in suffering,
persevere in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the saints;
extend hospitality to strangers.
Bless those who persecute you;
bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice,
weep with those who weep.
Live in harmony with one another;
do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly;
do not claim to be wiser than you are.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil,
but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.
If it is possible, so far as it depends on you,
live peaceably with all.
Beloved, never avenge yourselves,
but leave room for the wrath of God;
for it is written,
"Vengeance is mine,
I will repay, says the Lord."
No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them;
if they are thirsty, give them something to drink;
for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads."
Do not be overcome by evil,
but overcome evil with good.
Matthew 16:21-end
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
From that time on,
Jesus began to show his disciples
that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering
at the hands of 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,
"God forbid it, Lord!
This must never happen to you."
But he turned and said to Peter,
"Get behind me, Satan!
You are a stumbling block to me;
for you are setting your mind not on divine things
but on human things."
Then Jesus told his disciples,
"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 will find it.
For what will it profit them
if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life?
Or what will they give in return for their life?
"For the Son of Man is to come with his angels
in the glory of his Father,
and then he will repay everyone for what has been done.
Truly I tell you,
there are some standing here
who will not taste death
before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."
10:30 | 
Posted by
Dr Platts |
