The words "Follow me!" seem so simple, and yet, so much is packed into them. It is easy to be religious or pious when everything is going well, or when doing so earns us the approval of others. Peter was probably very proud of his position of favour in the Christian community. After all, the Lord had singled him out! But he learned to his dismay and sorrow that he was not the man he believed himself to be. In this moving scene, Jesus is rehabilitating Peter, but making sure that he understands that leadership, responsibility, and discipleship means pouring out oneself for others. Faith equals love and service, pure and simple. This might also mean suffering and being persecuted, as the Lord himself experienced. Paul has discovered this too: his energetic and zealous ministry has earned him arrest and chains; it will eventually lead to his death. But Paul believes that Jesus is worth every bit of his suffering and struggle.

How do we react to suffering and struggles? To being misunderstood or persecuted? Instead of responding with bitterness, discouragement and anger, we might try to see them in a new light.