WATCHWORD:
27 Jesus and his disciples left Galilee and went up to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. As they were walking along, he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 28 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets.” 29 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am? Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.” Mark 8:27-29
Meditation:
At Jesus Feet
Let me describe for you a word picture. You are in Jerusalem, at the house of Mary. She’s expecting Jesus and his friends to arrive soon, and she is preparing a simple meal. She’s looking forward to this time together, it is always a good evening, filled with stories and humor.
And here they are; Jesus and many of his disciples and followers, they smile as they file in and make themselves at home in the gathering room. They have been here many times, using Mary’s house as a gathering place, an informal church.
These times together follow a comfortable routine, because everyone likes the easy way Jesus has, relating to all present, and we like what he has to say, so we listen. It will be later when we understand fully what those conversations, as friendly and full of humor and lessons as they were, were not from a man but from God himself. But who do you say I am? You are the Messiah.
For now, the conversation goes on and Mary’s son, John Mark, comes and joins in. He’s just a lad of sixteen or so and he takes a seat on the floor at Jesus’s feet. He listens to what Jesus has to say, and the comments and questions by these friends. His mother has spoken many times about what is being said, and so as he listens, he believes that this is the truth. It will be sometime later, years later, after a not very successful, and abbreviated, mission trip with Paul, that the full impact of his time at Jesus feet will hit him, and he becomes the writer of the Book of Mark, earliest gospel. But for now, he’s just a kid, learning.
What about you? How did that process begin that brought you to where you are now in your belief? What event, or person touched you so deeply that you were changed. That you were transformed from maybe a good person into a blessed person? Perhaps it took adversity, a crisis, or as a friend once told me, it took a heart attack and in a ride in an ambulance to open his eyes to the presence of Jesus in his life.
The transformation that each one of us has gone through, is unique to us. Have you ever read a passage in scripture, familiar, maybe one that you had memorized as a child, but as you read it now, it’s as if it is the first time and you are struck by the deeper meaning and it affects you in ways you never expected? The meaning of the Word was always there but the eyes of your heart were not open until now. And Jesus says you must be born again.
So, who do you say He is? For John Mark, sitting there at Jesus’ feet, following along the master’s teachings and what his mother had reinforced, it was the beginning of a transformation, a re-birth, that would, in time, fill pages of the Holy Bible. May it be so with you. Amen.
A Truth Downer on Columbus Day:
Historical accounts and Columbus’s own journals reveal a grim reality that often gets left out of textbooks. Upon arrival in 1492, Columbus enslaved Indigenous people, forcing them to mine for gold and work under brutal conditions. Those who resisted were beaten, mutilated, or killed. Entire populations were decimated by violence and disease following European contact. Columbus’s arrival marked the beginning of centuries of colonization, forced conversions, and cultural destruction for Indigenous peoples across the Americas. To many, celebrating him is not a tribute to exploration—it’s a painful reminder of conquest and loss. It makes me wonder if our modern day culture has evolved much. Lord, help us!
Closing Prayer:
Thank you, Lord, for your presence in our lives, for allowing us to sit at your feet and learn from you. Perhaps the lesson is a harsh one and we sit at the base of your cross and grieve along with other followers, unaware that this is only the beginning. Help us to truly learn and understand the surrendering of our lives and being born again in the blessings and the graces that You have so lovingly given. Grant us grateful hearts, Lord, and help us to be guided by your grace to follow your will in all things. It’s in your name we pray. Amen.
