Matthew 16:21-22

Early in Jesus’ ministry, he told the disciples he had go to Jerusalem and suffer a lot of things from the religious leaders and even be killed. That cloud hung over his entire ministry, but it was something he had to do, so he did it.

When we “come to the table,” we look back at his death and acknowledge the principle of fulfilling what is ours to do before God and other people. That is especially important when it comes to matters that only we are in a position to handle. Maybe it’s just that we are in a good place to take care of it. We don’t put it off or wait for somebody else to pick up the slack. We do our part.

What drove the Lord at the great “cross-roads” of history, drives us as well in lesser things. What governs once-in-a-lifetime matter, governs what goes on every day of life. In this simple rite, we make a pledge to do what is ours to do from here on in.