Sunday, August 30, 2026 - Proper 17

Sunday, August 30th, 2026

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

None of us like change, none of us like to hear that a dear friend is dying, and all of us would react as Peter did. He spoke our truth. And Jesus called him Satan. But we all would have reacted with a loud no. We humans don't like change, don't like loss and hate it when we lose a beloved teacher, priest or leader. Yet holding on to the present is a stumbling block for our future. Walking away from a church which is losing a beloved rector is a stumbling block. We are called to lose our lives, letting go of what we think we need, letting go of tight control, and opening up ourselves to the real blessings of the future. We can live being those who trip and trigger others, or we can open our hearts to the possibilities and people we might not understand. Blessings are often disguised as strangers and changes.

Mysterious Creator, you bless us with each new day

and send us blessings in surprise people and places.

Lord Jesus, make us a blessing and not a stumbling block today.

We want familiar places and well know people

thinking safety and regularity are where we find you.

Lord Jesus, make us a blessing and not a stumbling block today.

Yet you, Oh Lord, are the still small voice in the night

calling us to go to the edges of the earth carrying your love.

Lord Jesus, make us a blessing and not a stumbling block today.

We don't want to hear it or live with the great changes

we want to bury our heads in the sand when you call us.

Lord Jesus, make us a blessing and not a stumbling block today.

You are our strength and stay in times of great troubles

and you, Lord, will provide what we need every day.

Lord Jesus, make us a blessing and not a stumbling block today.

Give us your strength, Lord Jesus, to face these new challenges

and make us a blessing as we follow your way of love.

Lord Jesus, make us a blessing and not a stumbling block today. Amen.