We live in a time of truth-telling in our culture and society. The Episcopal Church’s history with racial justice in our church and the larger society, our involvement in indigenous residential boarding schools, and our culture of silence and acceptance around power differentials and harassment are receiving a reckoning. We are finally talking about these things openly, just like Jesus was talking about truth openly.

When Peter rebukes Jesus, Jesus immediately understands that it is the dark forces and principalities— the structural, cultural, and institutional systems—that are trying to prevent him from speaking truth out loud. It is not his friend. Jesus tells Peter that he must lose his life in the culture to gain his life in Christ.

When we speak truth against these systems, we lose our lives for the sake of the gospel. We fade away, and the gospel ascends. Then we rest in the abundant grace of God and the love of our brother Jesus.

MOVING FORWARD: What truth-telling needs to be told in your community? Are you the truth-teller or part of the system—or both?