Thursday, March 5

Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things." He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "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, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." Mark 8:31-38



The scripture above is among the most clear descriptions of what being a Christian entails. To not only believe in Jesus’ words, but to consciously and dutifully live according to His directions is very difficult. It very much confronts us with the everyday dilemma of faith versus living a secular life. Do we trust or do we not? How deeply do we believe? How do we balance the love of life, family and friends, the ambitions of life, justice to strangers and so many more everyday challenges with the faith and belief in Jesus and His words as expressed above? Are we prepared to give up what we love for Him? Nothing simple about faith when viewed through that lens.

Most of us fall short in some ways on some days. The magic and wonder is to know that Jesus has accepted us and loves us without regard to our blemishes. He has said that the road to salvation lies in the honesty of striving to take up his cross. Jesus knows the difficulty of these matters. He has lived and experienced them Himself.

I am reminded that even Mother Theresa was filled with doubts and continued to strive to live up to Jesus’ strictures. She was fulfilled by the spirit. She made a difference. For us, we too make a difference. Jesus showed us the way. Jesus showed us that physical death and physical pain may come but in the end if we are faithful we shall find life and joy forever. He keeps us covenant with us. Thanks be to God.


Dear God, we thank you for the gift of life. You have shown us how we can change the world by changing the world within our own hearts. You have given us life for each and every day, as well as the promise of life eternal. You sent your Son to show and teach us how.
You sent Jesus as your renewed covenant with us. We give thanks for such a remarkable and life changing gift. You have kept your promises to us while we have fallen short, and yet you love us still. In this Lenten season, we give thanks for your love.
We pray for steadfastness, humility, and awareness as we strive to walk the path that Jesus has so clearly laid out for us. We pray for renewed energy and commitment. We pray that we are good stewards. We pray that someday all persons will believe and live according to Jesus’ words to us. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Elder Dale Maddock