Gospel: Luke 9:18-22
One day, when Jesus was praying alone, not far from his disciples, he asked them, “What do people say about me?” And they answered, “Some say, that you are John the Baptist; others say, that you are Elijah; and still others, that you are one of the prophets of old, risen from the dead.” Again Jesus asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.” Then Jesus spoke to them, giving them strict orders not to tell this to anyone.
And he added, “The Son of Man must suffer many things. He will be rejected by the elders and chief priests and teachers of the law, and be put to death. Then after three days he will be raised to life.”
Reflection
Whoever loses his life for the sake of the kingdom of God will gain.
Jesus told his disciples of the death he would suffer at the hands of unbelievers. Jesus assured them that he would rise again on the third day. The disciples may not yet have understood the suffering that awaited Jesus. They may not have realized that they, like Jesus, would give their lives for the salvation of many. As Jesus promised, whoever loses his life for the sake of the kingdom of God will gain it. Just as Jesus rose from the dead, so will those who believe and put his word into practice be resurrected and will enjoy eternal happiness in heaven.
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