Affluent 21^st century westerners have everything we need and almost anything we want. And if not, we want to know why not and who (else) is responsible? Even death itself mostly seems a long way off and we can (often) do something to avoid it. Inexorably though, death comes to all and it is indeed tragedy if our life is measured by accrued influence, power, entitlement or stockpiled wealth and possessions. Oh dear!

Jesus has a different message - that “life” is something quite other than accumulation of goodies, connections, honours, achievements or even years. Focus on accumulation to “save our lives”, is a waste of time. Jesus tells us that is to lose our lives. For just a moment Peter figured he’d been appointed general manager of the Messiah project! He couldn’t see beyond the (well intentioned) possibilities of the here and now, but Jesus had a radically different perspective. 

When life is going swimmingly we sign God up to our plans, our achievements, our desires, our appetite for the sweet things of life.  We encounter Him in family, friends, love, beauty, simple things beyond buying or selling. But even these are transient. Like Peter, we are in danger of getting carried away with ourselves; hoping for safer, less challenging, less awkward, painful and humiliating paths to salvation.

Fearlessly proclaiming the Kingdom of God is going to get Jesus into a lot of trouble, but that is his mission - and ours. Covid time causes us to reflect on this gospel (Matt 16:21-27). What is really important to us? What saves our life? How do we faithfully live our mission? Only preparedness to follow Jesus’ way, picking up our cross daily, proclaiming the Kingdom by our love will truly save our lives. Risking all for love of all saves us.

Deacon Mark Kelly