COMMENTARY

Old Testament: Proverbs 1:20-33
Israel is warned against rejection of wisdom. The wisdom of God is personified as a female. She cries out in the streets but she is rejected. Wisdom will laugh when the people get in trouble. When they cry for help, wisdom will not answer. But, they who listen will live in safety and at ease.

Epistle: James 3:1-12
Because teachers use their tongues, they will be judged more strictly how they use them. Bits in horses mouths enable us to control them. Ships are guided by small rudders. Forest fires are started with a match. The rest of nature can be tamed but not the human tongue. With the tongue we bless and curse. The human tongue needs to be tamed.

Gospel: Mark 8:27-38
We come to a crucial point in Jesus' ministry. Before Jesus goes on to J…