September 16th Reflection by Bill Lynch

16th Sunday After Pentecost 
Mark 8:27-38 (NRSV)
Peter's confession of faith 

Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" And they answered him, "John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Messiah." And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "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, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

Reflection Story
The team had heard the coach so many times talk about working together as a team. This time during half-time the coach asked for so much more. Coach James had learned lately that his life was about to take on a huge change. The coach really knew about this all along, but now was the time to come forward with the news. The coaches wife, Sally, was sick with cancer. Coach knew a couple of years ago that the time he would need to care for his wife would escalate to the point that Coach would have to give up his way of living and work full time caring for Sally. In some ways, Coach would have to give himself completely to his wife.

During the half-time talk, Coach told the team about how Jesus gave his life completely for all people. Jesus knew what he had to do and when Jesus told his disciples that he would suffer and die at the hands of the religious leaders of the day, the people, and the government; his disciples refused to listen and were in denial of all that Jesus had to say during that moment. Jesus knew that to gain life you must forfeit life.

It was with this in mind that the team discovered one of the most valuable lessons ever. They were behind at half-time 28-3. A change needed to occur during the second half of this game. The team was a team gifted with talent, but the talent was an individual type of talent. The quarterback was good but tried to do it all by himself. The receivers and the line and so many others on this team had great talent but nothing came together. Coach told the guys that it was time to give it up. Give up themselves to one another. Instead of playing for the glory of pulling the team to a win, to instead give it up for one another. And with this the second half was to start.

A change took place that second half. In the huddle the quarterback, Joe, told the guys let's give it up for one another. No one plays for himself. We intend to give ourselves up for the other. So when Joe handed off the ball to Pete the running back, he gave it up for Pete. When Brian needed to block for Pete he gave it up. All on the team began to give the ball up, the block up, the pass up, the run up and even the kick and snap up for the other guy. They gave their lives to each other in some respect.

As this new attitude took on shape, the team began to work different than ever before. No longer did it seem that one person had to carry another person in the play. All were carrying each other. All were giving it up for one another. They began to move the ball and drive for scores. The defense began to hold the opposing team to three downs and out. All gave it up for the other and they came back to win the game.

After the game the crowd, the coach and the team were all united one with another in this attitude of giving it up for one another. In the coming week the community came together around Coach James and gave it up for Sally and all of the care she needed. They were united in the love that Jesus was speaking of when he told his disciples the awful mission that he was about to go through on his approach to the cross. A love that gives up life to gain life. A complete change in attitude. A work of God.

Prayer
Lord, show me the times and help me to recognize all the ways this week that I can give it up in the love you have shown to all people in the way you gave it up... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen