It's hard to believe but we are one third through our 30 Day Retreat. If you have been following this blog posting we are doing a 30 Day Retreat with Jesus based on my book, A 30 Day Retreat: A Personal Guide to Spiritual Renewal (Paulist Press, 2010). I hope that you find this retreat uplifting and beneficial. Spread the word too, we still have 20 more days to go. Today we see Jesus in the groove. Being in the groove means that he has a flow, he knows where he is going, he knows what he is doing. Being in the flow means there is clarity of goal, direction, and aim.
Jesus is headed towards the cross. He knows that he has to die. Jesus is the sacrificial lamb that takes away the sins of the world. He is our Paschal lamb slain for the life of the world and its salvation.
Three times in the gospel of Mark Jesus predicts what will happen to him.
He will be betrayed
He will be arrested
He will be put on trial and put to death.
Three times he says this and three times his disciples don't get it.
James and John bicker about who will get the best seat in heaven.
Peter denies that Jesus has to go to the cross.
And on we go.
Jesus reminds us that discipleship, being his followers isn't all roses sometimes. There is suffering connected to it: sometimes physical and other times spiritual. There is selfless service and humility. Following Jesus is not about boasting, self interest, or pride, its about love, humility, and service.
Discipleship means taking up our cross with him and following.
You can read more about Jesus and the groove in Mark 10:32-34
