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WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?

(A biblical refection on THE 24^th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – 16 September, 2012)

Gospel Reading: Mark 8:27-35

First Reading: Is 50:5-9; Psalms: Ps 115:1-6,8-9; Second Reading: Jas 2:14:18

The Scripture Text

And Jesus went on with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He asked His disciples, “Who do men say that I am? And they told Him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered Him, “You are the Christ.” And He charged them to tell no one about Him.

And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And He said this plainly. And Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him. But turning and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter, and said, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not on the side of God, but of men.”

And He called to Him the multitude with His disciples, and said to them, “If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For who ever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel’s will save it. (Mk 8:27:35 RSV)

Shortly after He fed the multitude (Mk 8:1-10), Jesus took His disciples away to Caesarea Philippi, about twenty-five miles north of the Sea of Galilee. There He asked them who they thought He was. Peter, inspired by God, said: “You are the Messiah” (= Christ; Mk 8:16).

Peter’s confession marks a turning point in Mark’s Gospel. Prior to this, Jesus was portrayed as a popular preacher and compassionate healer. From this point on, events were dominated by the ominous shadow of the cross. Three times Jesus predicted that He would suffer and die (Mk 8:31; 9:31; 10:32-34). Each time He called Himself the Son of Man (a reference to the heavenly figure in Daniel 7:13). The Son of Man in Daniel is both a heavenly man and a figure representing the people of God (Dan 7:18,27). When Jesus used this title, He was not only indicating that He must suffer, but also that this is the path to which we are called if we wish to follow Him. How often our own ideas of Jesus fall short of this and center instead on things which challenge us less.

The Son of Man is also like another figure in the Old Testament – the suffering servant of Isaiah. This servant set his face like flint (Is 50:7), gave his back to those who struck him (Is 50:6), and bore the iniquity of us all (Is 53:6). Jesus is the true servant, but we too are servants if we accept and follow His path of suffering.

Jesus’ message is not all suffering. If we follow Him in His suffering, we will also share His reward and bring His resurrection victory to others (Is 53:11-12). Saint Mark recognized this central truth and balanced the three predictions of the Son of Man’s passion with three predictions of the Son of Man’s resurrection (Mk 8:38; 13:26; 14:62).

Short Prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe that You are the Son of God, Second Person of the Holy Trinity. You are truly God and truly Man. As God-man You are my Savior, my divine Model, and my invisible Companion every step of my earthly path toward eternal life. Let me become ever more aware of this truth, and my spiritual progress will improve. Amen.

A Christian Pilgrim

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF JESUS?

(A biblical refection on THE 24^th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – 16 September, 2012)

First Reading: Is 50:4-9; Psalms: Ps 115:1-6,8-9; Second Reading: Jas 2:14-18; Gospel Reading: Mk 8:27-35

The setting for today’s Gospel narrative is the flower-covered foothills of misty snowcapped Mount Hermon. There Jesus and the twelve apostles discuss His identity. As they walk near the source of the Jordan River, He calmly asks, “Who do people say that I am?” After hearing their varied responses, the Master replies with another question: “Who do you say that I am?” First Jesus asked what they had heard about Him from others, now He wants to know what they think of Him.

The general public saw Him as the reincarnation of John the Baptist, Elijah or some prophet. Jesus’ close friends, however, acknowledged Him as he long-promise Messiah.

How do people see Jesus today? Many (like Christians) say He’s God. Others (like Jews and Moslems) say He’s great man but not God. Some see Him as a friend and love Him. Others view Him as a judge and fear Him. Many try to imitate Jesus by praying much in church. Others say they act like Him when they’re working for human rights and arms reduction. Some thing His teachings are strict. Others say He’s lenient.

As current disciples, how would we answer Jesus if He asked us what people say about Him? We would have to reply that they say almost everything imaginable – all the way from believing that He lives in each person and directs every thought and action, to the belief that He doesn’t exist at all.

The first question about the public’s view is intriguing, but the second one is more vital and personal. What do you thing about Jesus? Don’t quote some book or authority. Just answer from your own honest belief. Is He really God? Did He die for you? Does He know your name? Do you see Him in your neighbour; feel Him in yourself; hear Him in the words of scripture; sense His presence in the Eucharist? Can you relax with Him or does He scare you? Perhaps we feel like Pilate, who after a brief encounter with Him asked publicly, “What am I to do with Jesus?”

Peter triumphantly call Him “Messiah,” but rejects the thought of a suffering Messiah. Jesus dramatically corrects him. Today’s Gospel concludes with Jesus calling together both the crowd and the twelve to remind them, “If a man wishes to come after Me, he must deny his very self, take up his cross and follow in My steps.” I believe Jesus is demanding yet understanding. I believe He’s a fair judge yet a personal friend. I believe He’s a profound, unfolding mystery. What do you think?