This evening we are reading through Mark 7-8. Mark 8 ends with Peter’s Confession that “you are the Christ” followed closely by Jesus’ rebuke that Peter is Satan. I have attached the Anchor Yale commentary on this exchange. pp.602-15. If you have time, please read through these notes and comments. (The reading, of course, is not required.)
This conversation between Peter and Jesus is one of the great transitions in Mark’s Gospel. Until this time, Jesus has been an itinerant preacher and healer in northern Galilee but his ultimate end of dying on the cross in Jerusalem is unknown. This section from Mark 8:22-10:52 (bookended by the healing of two blind men) informs the disciples and the reader about Jesus’ journey and entry into Jerusalem. Jesus’ telos, or ultimate object and aim, is now being made known. Within this short space, Jesus foretells his end thrice – Mark 8:31, 9:31, and 10:33. Although Mark tells us the what he doesn’t really tell us the why, although the lectionary readings from this past Sunday (Isa. 53:4-12 and Heb. 4:12-16) may shed light on that question.
SCHEDULE for ALL SAINTS (Sunday, November 1):
- Bishop Michael Curry will be installed as the XXVII Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church at noon. Please listen to him preach HERE and HERE. His orthodoxy and his love of Christ are impeccable. The Church of the Messiah will be having a watch party at Pine Lakes. If wish to join, please sign up or email me back.
- Also, The Church of the Messiah will be participating in the All Saints Evensong at Holy Cross at 5:00.
- And, Trinity will be having an All Saints Evensong at 4:30 with a preceding organ concert at 4:00.
- All Saints was one of the great feasts preserved in Reformation Anglicanism. Please make every effort to attend somewhere.
Father Gabriel will be back with us this week. Dinner is at 6. The menu is tacos. Discussion about 6:45. Hope to see you here.
Surely he has borne our griefs
Isaiah 53:46
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed his stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions,
he was bruised for our iniquities;
upon him as the chastisement that made us whole,
and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned everyone to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.