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Are we armchair Christians? Do we pray and love from afar? Do we avoid all forms of conflict or resistance, even if practices are against our faith so as to keep the ‘peace’? Do we offer a few dollars for the poor, aged and sick but spend no time with them?

The World wants us to avoid the ‘heavy’ burden of the Cross so that we can run free and be free to do as we please. To experience all the World has to offer, lots of money, luxury, unbridled sex and other such ‘nectars’ of life! Soon the noose tightens and it’s too late…

The reality is that the weight of the World weighs us down while it is the Cross of Christ that liberates us. The burdens we carry and Yes there will be burdens will be easy for it is the yoke of Jesus upon us. Our loving Lord gives the strength, courage and means to carry on living a full and fruitful life. When we are weary He will give us rest. Let us then take up our cross with joy as we walk onwards to our heavenly inheritance. Amen

FIRST READING
James 2:14–24, 26

GOSPEL
Mark 8:34––9:1

Jesus summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the Gospel will save it. What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? What could one give in exchange for his life? Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

He also said to them,
“Amen, I say to you,
there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the Kingdom of God has come in power.”

What good is my name if I do not the Will of my heavenly Father? What good is my name if I am not  known to be loving and kind? What good is my name if I am not patient or merciful? What good is my name of I do not bring hope or joy? What good is my name if I do not bring peace? What good is my name if not a single soul can see Christ in me?

Let me always walk with and in Christ as He walks in me. Amen

FIRST READING
James 2:1–9

GOSPEL
Mark 8:27–33

Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.” Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.

He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”