TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YR B
Isaiah 50:5-9a; Psalm 116;
James 2:14-18; Mark 8:27-35
YOU ARE THE CHRIST
On their way to Caesaria Philippi, Jesus asks his disciples who the people say he is. There were many answers like John the Baptist, Elijah and one of the Prophets. Jesus then turned the question directly to them “but you who do you say that I am?”. Peter answered on behalf of the others “you are the Christ”.
How would you have responded to this question? Even now, what is your response to this question. This is a very personal question. It is one that demands an intimately personal response.
The word “Christ” is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word “Messiah” which means “the anointed one”. This tittle initially referred to the Kings of Israel as the anointed of God. But in the thousand years between King Solomon and the time of Jesus, the Jewish people had been conquered by one kingdom or another. The image of the Messiah as a political leader who would free the people from foreign domination and bring economic prosperity emerged at this time. This was the dominant understanding of the Messiah among the people.
This is why this question of Jesus was very important. He wanted to be sure that the disciples especially had the right understanding of his mission. This same question is posed to us today. Who is Jesus to you? In the midst of the popular Christianity’s portrayal of Jesus solely as a miracle worker; with less and less stress on the call of the Christian to adhere to holiness. In the midst of the scandals from the church and the polarization of religious opinions, Jesus asks us also this question “who do you say that I am?”
Jesus now reveals to the disciples what his mission entails: he will suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. ( Mk 8:31) At this Peter practically jumped in front of Jesus, pulled him aside to rebuke him for talking like that about his mission. This image of Jesus as the Son of man who would suffer was too much and unacceptable to Peter and the disciples. Jesus rebukes him and asked him to take his place behind him. He continued to properly teach the disciples on what it means to be a disciple. To be Jesus’ disciple is to follow the way of the cross, of suffering and of endurance.
We too like Peter and the disciple can miss this teaching of Jesus. We must be ready to embrace the cross that comes to us and be hopeful that the Lord shall give us victory. The teaching of some “men of God” that sounds as if being a Christian is an insulation against suffering is totally false. Jesus didn’t teach that. He taught that his presence will be with us forever so that we can bear any challenge and burden. He told his disciples “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16:33)
This invitation of Jesus to share in his mission is one of tremendous suffering and death. To become a Christian or a disciple of Jesus is to be opposed to the ways of the world. It may find us opposing the rich and powerful of this world. When Jesus spoke about the cross, he was speaking about the horrific death known all too well to the disciples. We can easily then miss the fear this teaching evokes in them. But the truth is that Jesus has led the way.
History has shown that the church flourished in those epochs of persecution when Christians stood firm for the faith. On the other hand, moral decay crept into the church when Christians sought to associate themselves with the world. Jesus is calling us to be firm and to bear the suffering that comes with it. Are you ready?
It can be difficult. This is one of the teachings you can describe as difficult and unacceptable today, but Jesus has led the way. We must follow. He would not abandon us but strengthen us along the journey with the Holy Spirit and in the end true victory befitting the children of God.
May the Lord strengthen us as we face the challenges of our faith and call as Christians.
God bless you.
BY Rev. Fr. Delight Arnold Carbonu
