24TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B

Isaiah 50:5-9

Psalm 114

James 2:14-18

Mark 8:27-35

“WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?”

Today’s first reading is one of the four songs of the prophet Isaiah that describe the astonishing figure of the Suffering Servant. What characterizes this Suffering Servant in today's passage is his trusting faith in God even in the midst of suffering, opposition and rejection (Is. 50:5-9). According to St James in the second reading, faith without deeds is dead (James 2:14-18).

At the heart of today’s Gospel (Mk 8:27-35) lies the question that permeates the whole Gospel account of Mark: who is Jesus? But this time it is Jesus himself who puts it to his disciples, so as to help them gradually discover his real identity. In effect, after receiving the opinion of the crowds about himself, Jesus asks his disciples: “But who do you say that I am?” Then, Simon Peter answered: “You are the Christ” (that is, the Messiah, God’s Anointed One).

It is noteworthy that when Peter declared that Jesus was the Christ, he was probably thinking of a political leader who would free the Jews from Roman domination, just like his contemporary Jews expected. He was thinking of a glorious Messiah-King, not of a Suffering Servant. Hence, he began to rebuke Jesus when he predicted his humiliation, rejection, suffering and death.

Peter's misconception about Jesus is still present with us. It can happen to us that we passionately and enthusiastically affirm that Jesus is the Christ; but at the same time, we may protest and rebel because this contrasts with our expectations. We may want to follow Jesus but be unwilling to embrace the way of Jesus, which is the way of the cross, self-denial and sacrifice. We may be carried away by the prosperity gospel which promises a life full of miracles, a life without suffering and difficulties. However, we must know that a life without suffering is an illusion; and being a Christian without accepting the cross is to follow a caricature of Jesus Christ: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me”.

May the Lord help us bear patiently our daily crosses, and follow him with courage and trust even in the midst of trials and challenges. Amen.