Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 8, 27-33

Jesus and his disciples set out
for the villages of Caesarea Philippi.
Along the way he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that I am?”
They said in reply,
“John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others one of the prophets.”
And he asked them,
“But who do you say that I am?”
Peter said to him in reply,
“You are the Christ.”
 
Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.

He began to teach them
that the Son of Man must suffer greatly
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed, and rise after three days.
He spoke this openly.
Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples,
rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” 

Being authentic

1. Authenticity. Being authentic is not the same as being a rebel. The main characteristic of authentic people is that they know what they want and who they are. You can listen to what people say about you, but what really matters is that you know who you are. That allows you to be free and clear with others, in the style of Jesus. He knows what his mission is and who He is, He knows the risks, but He accepts them and makes it clear to those around Him where He’s going. It is this authenticity that you and I must reach. We must be able to transmit clear ideas of who we are, of what we can and can’t do. To be authentic is to show yourself exactly the way you, and not fall into being manipulated.

2. Rebels. It’s different from being authentic. Rebels don’t comply with what is asked of them, not because they don’t want to, but rather to confront the one who asks them to do something. They’re not clear about what they want and why they want it. They choose to clash for the sake of clashing, and also to victimize themselves for the sake of it. Rebels listen to the demand, listen to others and to what they think, but they do not listen to themselves. Unlike those who are authentic, rebels don’t have clear where they’re going.

3. Acceptance. Jesus assumes his reality and sets out his path. And He makes it clear that His gaze is on the Father and what God the Father asks of Him. Today, take on the mission that God has placed in your life and don’t let the comments of others distract you from your mission.

Never forget that something good is on the way!  

God bless you and protect you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.