Today's gospel is very relevant for a church which is called to be informed by missionary discipleship. In New Zealand the Irish descended and culturally formed church has, or is, dying off. It is no longer a question of maintenance because shortly there will be nothing to maintain. What is going to take its place? It is a church of mission. This church understands that: encounter with Christ, conversion, discipleship. communion and mission, are all essential dimensions of Christian life. To fully, consciously and actively participate in this reality, which is actualized in adult baptism, requires a personal decision to acknowledge Jesus as the risen Saviour, to whom I give my loyalty, obedience and love. St Peter makes such an act of faith when he responds to Jesus' question: " 'You are the Messiah'." (Mk 8: 29) This, of itself, is insufficient. Such adherence can still succumb to temptations to worldly power or prosperity as the individual or collective leverages Jesus' image and power for its own benefit. To this end, the cross is essential. It calls us not only to follow Christ but also to imitate him in his life giving, sacrificial love: "For here we have no lasting city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Through him then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (Heb 13: 15-16)
