Gospel Reading from Mass: September 13, 2009

Mark 8:27-35 -- 27Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" 28They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." 29"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ." 30Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. 31He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." 34Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.

Observation:

• Where were Jesus and his disciples?
• What question did Jesus ask his disciples? How did he answer?
• How did Peter answer Jesus’ question? What did Jesus say in response to his answer?
• What did Jesus warn the disciples about? What did he teach them?
• What did Peter say in response to Jesus’ teaching? How did Jesus respond?
• What did Jesus tell the crowd?

Application:

• What does it mean when Peter said that Jesus was “the Christ”?
• Why do you think rebuked Jesus? How did Christ respond?
• What did Jesus prophesy about himself in verses 31 and 32?
• What did Jesus mean when he rebuked Peter and said “Get behind me, Satan!”?
• What does it mean for a person to deny himself? To take up his cross? To follow Jesus?
• What does it mean to lose your life for Christ and the gospel? How will this save you? What will you be saved from?