the 2nd sunday in lent
the PRAYER …
O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life. Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
the READING …
But turning and looking at his disciples, [Jesus] rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
the DEVOTION …
In some places – like this week’s gospel reading – he’s called Satan, the Adversary. In other places, he’s known as the devil, the slanderer. Goatee. Horns. Sneer. Of course, red leotards, pointy tail, and pitchfork are optional. But no matter what we call him, we imagine him as Jesus’ total and complete opposite. As different from Jesus as night from day, as wrong from right, as bad from good. However …
Personally, I prefer the title Lucifer! Granted, it’s used only once in scriptures. Isaiah 14.12. King James Version. “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!” The name means lightBearer. The angel of darkness masquerading as an angel of light. And as such, he looks and sounds a whole lot like Jesus. So much so that, often, the two are confused. That’s what makes Lucifer so dangerous. And this week, Jesus reminds Peter of that difference. “Lucifer’s everything you dream of,” he says, “Kingdom! Power! Glory! But, Peter, I’ll be the one – the only one – carrying your cross!”