Rebuffed

THIS WEEK’S GOSPEL: MATTHEW 16: 21-28 (MESSAGE)

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 splendor 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."

Have you ever tried to correct God? Have you ever asked for what seemed like the right thing with all sincerity and desire, and found that the answer was not what you dreamed or expected? Have you ever been like Peter and told God what was going to happen and what wasn’t happening in your life?

This has been true in my own life. I have struggled, demanded, cajoled and found that all my positioning and righteous requests resulted in what I never could have dreamt – connections with people I did not know, lessons that evoked humility and satisfaction, moments of pure wonder but not in my control. Like Peter who was so pleased by naming who Jesus was in our lesson from last week, Jesus’ response to him in the same conversation sends him in a different direction altogether. That direction, neither expected nor asked, is one that lives on in our lives as we seek God in new and faithful ways. The path may not be the one we choose, but it is filled with lessons and with God.

This Sunday, August 28 at 10:00am, the Wellesely Ecumenical Service of Worship will gather at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and the Rev. Martin B. Copenhaver will inspire us with his words.

Although we did not anticipate Hurricane Irene, please be careful this weekend and remember that God is with us no matter the path or the storm.

Looking forward to seeing you in Church!