Mark 8:27-35

"Who do you say I am?" Imagine Jesus putting this question to you. How would you answer it? How would you answer it, not in words taken from a catechism or textbook, but from your own experience of the significance of Jesus in your life? What does Jesus mean to you?
What does his gospel message mean to you?

Jesus went on to teach his disciples that following him would be hard at times. There would be a price to pay. Perhaps you also have found that imitating the love and compassion of Jesus is not an easy road? Nor does it come easy to have the constant trust in God that Jesus had. Yet Jesus tells us that this is the way of life. Would you agree?

There is a natural human tendency to shy away from what is painful or difficult. Yet if that is our standard pattern of behaviour' we will not get far in reaching our potential. We will never find who we are capable of being. When have you found it worthwhile to face difficulties, persevere, ‘carry your cross' for a while to achieve some goal that was important to you?