Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: August 30,2026

LECTIO - Read Scripture Text:   Matthew 16:21-27

Jesus began to show his disciples how he must go up to Jerusalem and suffer many things because of the elders, chief priests, and scribes ad be killed and raised again on the third day.  Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him saying, “God forbid, Lord, let this not be for you.” But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan. You are an offense to me. For you think not as God does but rather as men do.”

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay all according to his conduct.”

MEDITATIO - Meditate on text, allow the LORD to touch us with His Word:

Do I try to tell Christ what to do? Am I willing to put down my selfishness, pick up my own cross, and follow where He leads me?

BREAKING OPEN THE TEXT:

In today’s gospel we hear Jesus’ first prediction of His passion, death, and resurrection. We also hear of Peter’s rebuke of Jesus’ prediction because of his love for Christ, but Jesus responds by reminding Peter of his discipleship. First Jesus rebukes Peter for trying to turn Him away from obedience to the Father, then Jesus tells Peter and the other disciples the conditions of discipleship which will involve denial of self and picking up one’s own cross and following.  

ORATIO – Lifting our minds and hearts to the LORD in prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, teach me. Send your Spirit to inform my mind, conform my will, and transform me so I might truly follow You as You desire. Grant that I may have the courage to trust You and the wisdom to surrender to You. Help me, Lord, I pray. Amen.

CONTEMPLATIO – Sitting with the LORD in silence for a minute or more