Sunday, June 19, 2016
Sunday, June 19, 2016:
Jesus said: “My people, in today’s Gospel from St. Luke you see a sharp contrast with St. Matthew’s version of when St. Peter told Me that I am the Christ of the Lord. In St. Luke’s Gospel I rebuked St. Peter for telling the truth about My identity, because I did not want My mission exposed openly. This again is My Messianic secret until I declared My identity as the Son of God before the High Priest. In St. Matthew’s Gospel I applauded St. Peter telling him that he knew this from the power of the Holy Spirit. Then I told My apostles how I would have to suffer My crucifixion because of the Jewish leaders, but I would rise from the dead on the third day. The vision of someone falling down relates to the several times that I fell carrying My cross on the road to Calvary. I want My people to carry their daily cross in their suffering in this life, but I will be like Simon helping you to carry your cross. I will forgive your sins so you can pick yourself up from falling into sin. If you are My true followers, you will also suffer persecution from the worldly people who love the world instead of Me. Be not afraid because I will lead My people on a path to heaven.”