Then Jesus made it clear to his disciples that it was now necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, submit to an ordeal of suffering at the hands of the religious leaders, be killed, and then on the third day be raised up alive. Peter took him in hand, protesting, “Impossible, Master! That can never be!”
But Jesus didn’t swerve. “Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works.”
Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it.
Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?
“Don’t be in such a hurry to go into business for yourself. Before you know it the Son of Man will arrive with all the splendour of his Father, accompanied by an army of angels. You’ll get everything you have coming to you, a personal gift. This isn’t pie in the sky by and by. Some of you standing here are going to see it take place, see the Son of Man in kingdom glory.”
Jesus is beginning to talk about the path he was destined to take. And then to have his closest friend say – No, you can’t do this to me, You mean too much to me. You can’t leave me – must have been an even greater temptation than those on the mountaintop.
Control and obstruction hides itself in human love. It is so difficult to give those you love their own freedom. ‘If you love someone you let them go’ – no wonder that was written by ‘Anonymous’ – how hard it is to do. Even harder to release them to the mystery of God’s Will – why Peter struggles with the need to suffer, as we still do today. Jesus doesn’t turn his back on Peter, only the temptation and the show of ego that tried to put Peter in charge of Jesus’ life; to second-guess God.
Which is why he says to all of them that they must renounce themselves – not who they are in God’s eyes – but who they are in their own eyes and the eyes of the world. The cross is heavy enough without trying to balance ego and ambition – one or the other will topple – which is up to you.
Matthew 16 21 – 27 Then Jesus made it clear to his disciples that it was now necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, submit to an ordeal of suffering at the hands of the religious leaders, be killed, and then on the third day be raised up alive. Peter took him in hand,Read More →
MASS & SERVICE TIMES Saturday 26th August 4:45pm – Sacrament of Reconciliation 5:15pm – John Payne RIP Sunday 27th August – 21st SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (CYCLE A) 9;30am – People of the Parish 11:00am – Richard Jennings Monday 28th August 9:30am – Service of Word and Communion Tuesday 29th August Noon – Mass – Aunt Bridie’sRead More →
Matthew 16 13 – 20 When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” He pressedRead More →
MASS & SERVICE TIMES Saturday 19th August 4:45pm – Sacrament of Reconciliation 5:15pm – Syd O’Grady RIP Anniversary Sunday 20th August – 20th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (CYCLE A) 9;30am – People of the Parish 11:00am – Mrs Val Lloyd Monday 21st August 9:30am – Mass – Gordon Noad RIP Tuesday 22nd August 9:30am – MassRead More →
Matthew 15 21-28 Jesus left Genneraset and took a trip to Tyre and Sidon. They had hardly arrived when a Canaanite woman came down from the hills and pleaded, “Mercy, Master, Son of David! My daughter is cruelly afflicted by an evil spirit.” Jesus ignored her. The disciples came and complained, “Now she’sRead More →
MASS & SERVICE TIMES Saturday 12th August 4:45pm – Sacrament of Reconciliation5:15pm – John Payne RIP           Sunday 13th August – 19TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (CYCLE A) 9;30am – People of the parish11:00am – J O’Mara    Read More →
Matthew 14 22 – 23 As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray.Read More →
MASS & SERVICE TIMES Saturday 5th August 4:45pm – Sacrament of Reconciliation5:15pm – People of the Parish           Sunday 6th August – THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD (CYCLE A) 9;30am – Fr Michael Cupit and Fr Peter Burke11:00am – Fr PeterRead More →
Matthew 17 1-9 Jesus and the disciples had travelled to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Six days later Jesus took Peter and the brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. Sunlight poured from his face.Read More →
MASS & SERVICE TIMES Saturday 29th July 4:45pm – Sacrament of Reconciliation 5:15pm – Kathleen Harrison RIP Sunday 30th July -17TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (CYCLE A) 9;30am – Gerard Horne 11:00am – People of the Parish Monday 31st July 9:30am – Service of Word and Communion Tuesday 1st August 9:30am – Service of Word andRead More →
St Joseph’s RC Church, Woodford Lane, Winsford, CW7 2JS - Diocese of Shrewsbury - Registered Charity No 234025