Mark 8:27-38

The Gospel lesson from Saint Mark is very familiar. Jesus asks His disciples who people (and they) say He is. Only Peter confesses, “You are the Christ.” But when Jesus goes on to explain all that is about to take place, all the ways He will be rejected and eventually put to death, Peter is the only one to “scold” and “correct” the Son of God. What follows is Jesus’ sharp rebuke, “Get behind me, Satan!” And then comes the stark call to take up our cross and follow Him, to not fear to lose our life, as Peter apparently feared, but rather to be willing to risk everything in service of Our Lord.

Born in the Burgandy region of France in 470, Caesarius of Arles was a bishop, administrator, and theologian who served for forty years with courage and prudence. During the fifth century he was best known, however, for his preaching. Dealing principally with issues of Christian morality, his sermons were direct and simple, with practical application for his hearers. And regarding this passage from Mark’s Gospel, he had much to say.

Caesarius preached that to take up our cross means to bear with whatever is troublesome.  Following Jesus means that many might oppose us, might contradict us and challenge us, will likely mock us and even persecute us.  And sadly, as Caesarius pointed out, “This is true not only of pagans who are outside the church, but also of those who seem to be in it visibly but are outside of it because of the perversity of their deeds.”  Therefore, he counseled, “if you wish to follow Christ do not delay in carrying His cross. Tolerate sinners, but do not yield to them. Do not let the false happiness of the wicked corrupt you. You do well to despise all things for the sake of Christ, in order that you may be fit for His companionship (Sermon 159.5).”

In regards to verse 35 and how the disciple of Jesus is able to lose their life because of Him, Caesarius gave further clear advice. We die to ourselves, he says, when we are able to practice the virtue of humility. “Two feet are needed to run along this highway; they are humility and charity. Everyone wants to get to the top, well, the first step to take is humility. Why take strides that are too big for you, do you want to fall instead of going up? Begin with the first step, humility, and you will already be climbing (Sermon 159.1:4-6).”

Jesus asked His disciples in verses 36 and 37, “Why would people gain the whole world but lose their lives? What will people give in exchange for their lives?” Yet again, Caesarius has sound words for us today. Though written 1500 years ago, they are just as relevant now in our Western culture of affluence and accumulation as they were in sixth century Europe. “While there is much in the world to love, it is best loved in relation to the One who made it.” So, he continues, “let us labor as much as we can, beloved, that love of the world as such may not overwhelm us, and that we may not love the creature more than the Creator (Sermon 159.6).”

Sometimes the path forward lies in the past. How has God brought revival and cultural transformation to the world through the Church? What can we learn from our ancestors in the faith that can help us live and love like Jesus today? Caesarius of Arles is but one of many who have gone before who can help us as we pave the way for those yet to come.