Sunday Gospel Warm-up

A Cross-like Love

Sept 3 Mt 16:21-27

Simon Peter did so well last week. He was acclaimed by Jesus to the point of being awarded a new name. This week, however, Jesus chastises him as being a Satan trying to divert Him from His mission. Jesus apparently wanted it to be clear.

His mission was not to be a sort of glory esteemed by the world. His mission was the cross and to demonstrate a complete self-sacrificing love. What defines God, the Messiah or Son of Man is unconditional love and forgiveness. What defines his disciples, then, is the cross and living this same kind of love.