Follow Me

From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, ‘God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.’ But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’ Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? ‘For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.’ Matthew 16:21-28

I am one of those folks that don't follow the crowd and avoid group tours and travel. I like finding byways and highways, and enjoy getting lost from time to time. The call to follow Jesus comes to all of us and we follow in our own ways. It can be dangerous to try to make others follow Jesus exactly as we do. Each of us have been given different gifts, expressions, languages and cultures. We are called from our places of origin, with all that means, to live daily as we follow different roads and are called to diverse places.

Loving Creator, you are our source and destination

we might wander but you will never lose us

you daily lead us into new and special places

where hearts and hands are reaching for your love.

Help us to step forward always in compassion

encounter all beings with kindness and care

let the suffering and pain we might endure

be a light burden and our gift of service and love. Amen.