Today we hear about how it is not always easy to follow Jesus or to accept what God wants to happen in our lives. Even Peter, one of Jesus’s disciples found it difficult. Let’s think some more about this today…

Mark 8:27-35 Peter’s Declaration about Jesus 27 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?” 28 And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29 He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” 30 And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection 31 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. 32 He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 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.” 34 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. 35 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.

It is sometimes hard to do what God wants us to do, just like it was for Peter, because we are afraid, and we do not want to get hurt, or for those that we love to be hurt. Jesus tells us that it will not always be easy to follow him, but that we must have courage, because God will always be with us.

Tatá lives in a building which used to be a hotel Tatá lives in a building which used to be a hotel. Lots of families who didn’t have a home moved into the building. The families pay £4 a month to help keep the building in a good condition. They are also supported by CAFOD. Tatá has been living there for a long time. She lives with her mother, her two brothers, her six cousins and her three aunts. They all share two rooms and a kitchen. Tatá likes living in this building. She says, “It is better than living on the streets.”

Photo: Sarah Smith-Pearse Photo to accompany Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (year B) children’s liturgy resource Tatá, age 11, (right) and her friend Ninha, age 10, (left) are children’s coordinators in the building that they live in. Tatá, Brazil Photo: Sarah Smith-Pearse

We pray for all the world’s leaders: that they may have the courage to make the decisions that are best for all people, even when it is difficult. Lord, in your mercy… We pray for Tatá and for all our brothers and sisters living in poverty: that they may be able to work together and build a better future for themselves. Lord, in your mercy… We pray for our parish, families and friends: that we may be true followers of Jesus, reaching out to help people who are poor, sick, lonely or frightened. Lord, in your mercy…

God of light, as we try to follow you, give us the courage to reach out and help others, so that we can build a fairer world. Amen.