NOTES for Mar 8:27-31
27 And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? |
28 And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets. |
29 And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. |
30 And he charged them that they should tell no man of him. |
31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. |
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Peter's confession. What does it mean for us now, when we stand at the Cross and Pascha is still so far away? Pascha is far away, but the Cross is always before our eyes, and how necessary it is for us at this moment to hear: "You are the Christ." Because we are tired, because we are weak, because now the fast seems endlessly long to us, and the promised joy so undeserved. But this confession of Peter, which is so generously given to us today, both strengthens and confirms us; and, being spoken in such a difficult time, it makes us remember another confession. Mary's confession.
How hard it was for Mary to live out the Good News, how heavy it was for her to bear this burden, and she went to Elizabeth. Not in order to share this burden with her. No, for it was her burden alone. She made this journey because she simply needed very much to see someone close to her. So that someone dear could simply be nearby. And now this other confession of faith is given to us. "And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord" (Luke 1:46). The fast has passed the middle - the hardest time. We have already had time to grow tired, and Pascha is still so far away. And now two wonderful confessions of faith in Jesus are given to us. "Unwedded Virgin and All-Pure Mother, having received the annunciation from the Archangel, you hastened with care into the hill country; and having greeted your kinswoman, the most honorable Elizabeth, you were called by her the Mother of the Lord, and you magnified the Lord who magnified you: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the Fruit of your womb" (the troparion for the day of the Praise of the Most Holy Mother of God, that is, for today). Let us also magnify the Lord; and although Pascha is still far away, it will come, and each one will be magnified.
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