Today is the Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity. In last Sunday’s Gospel reading Peter had recognised Jesus as the Messiah. Once Peter has recognised and confessed Jesus as the Messiah, Mark begins a programme of teaching about the nature of Jesus’ Messiahship. Jesus is the Messiah who suffers. Peter’s confession is followed immediately by the first prediction of Jesus’ suffering and death. Now in today’s Gospel reading Mark offers a second more detailed prediction. This view of Messiahship reverses the common expectation for a triumphal Messiah. Such a reversal must change the disciples’ hopes for themselves as well, and reshape their ambitions. In place of power they find weakness.
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of ambition. In today’s picture from their book, Myself and Others, Aled and Sian are setting out on their adventure to shape their ambition in life.
Lord Jesus Christ,
you call your followers
to give service to others
and not to seek power for themselves.
Help us to live up to our calling,
that our lives may witness to you;
now and always.
Amen.
Next Sunday we are keeping the Feast of Michael and All Angels. The Gospel reading from John chapter 1 develops the theme of Jesus linking heaven and earth working alongside God’s messengers (angels). The image to help us prepare for next Sunday’s theme is angels.You can find out more about that theme by looking at the Educational Resources and the Preparation Resources.
Prayer Requests
Would you like to submit a prayer request? You can do so through the Prayer for Liverpool website.
Notice Sheet
Would you like to sign up to receive the Cathedral’s weekly notice sheet? You can do so here.
Exploring the Sunday Gospel – Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity