The Revised Common Lectionary passages for the Lord’s Day are:

First Reading: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
Psalm 22:23-31
Second Reading: Romans 4:13-25
Gospel Reading: Mark 8:31-38

The liturgical color for the day is: Purple

The seemingly harsh words of Jesus to Peter here in Mark’s Gospel are words that insist Peter, “Fall in line.”

Life is this “walking in the way of the cross.”  That is lent.  It is walking in the way of the cross.  And with every step along the way there is the conflict at hand.  With every step along the way we will be confronted with the choice of keeping our focus on faith or keeping our focus on our default reality which says this should all work the way we want it to work.

The way of the cross, the way of faith, is not always the easy way.  It is far easier for us to be in control and to insist that things work the way we want them to work.  But the way that is life giving is the harder way—it is the way of faith.

Jesus rebukes us: “Fall into place.”  “Get in line.”  We were called to live as disciples.  Walk in that way.  Do not shrink form that.  Each day we take many steps.  And in all those steps there are choices.  In all those steps we will have to choose how we will go.

Will we fall into place, or will we go our own way?  That is the question, and circumstances do not change the question—Will we fall into place, or will we go our own way?

—

Rev. Dr. Daris Bultena
General Presbyter and Stated Clerk