The Second Sunday in Lent

Mark 8: 31-38

The teachings of Jesus are often rich in paradox.  One need only consider the Beatitudes and many of the parables to hear the message from Jesus that things are often not what they seem.  The real truth is often just the opposite of evidence and human reason.

This Sunday's gospel has a few more examples to add to our paradox list.  Jesus tells us that to become his followers, we should deny ourselves and take up our crosses and follow him.  Those who would save their lives should lose them, and those who lose their lives for his sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save them.  He even adds that it is possible to gain the whole world and still forfeit one's life.

Have we learned that lesson now that we have heard it?  Hardly!  In fact, we have probably heard it often and we still have trouble comprehending it, much less believing and living it.  The central teachings of Jesus must continually be proclaimed, surely because of their importance, but especially because they are so opposite of our natural way of doing things.  We need to be confronted with such truths straightforwardly, consistently, and frequently.  This is a story worth repeating and repeating and repeating and repeating........

Come to St. Timothy's on Sunday. Together let's lift our hearts and voices in praise and thanksgiving, trusting the paradoxes of God.