Is 50: 5-9A
Jas 2: 14-18
Mk 8: 27-35
(Sunday Readings: click on picture at right)
On
a recent episode of “The Middle,” a very funny television sit-com about family
life, the television family decided the
Church they attended had grown too dull
for them. Though they respected the
minister, they felt a more charismatic message was needed. So, they searched around and through the
recommendation of a neighbor they found themselves in what proved to be a
welcoming and appealing Pastor and community. Their choir would clap hands,
sway and sing to more upbeat Christian music. This brand of Christian worship
gave them new perspective, at least for that particular Sunday.
The
Pastor’s sermon that Sunday ended with a challenge to all in the congregation:
“Get your business done!” He essentially implied that we all have a
task to accomplish for the Lord so we had better decide what that was and “get our business done.”
On
returning home, the mother of the family, with a new found enthusiasm began to
challenge her husband and three teenage children to “get their business
done.” The teenagers were frankly not
sure what that meant and at first had little interest, the father couldn’t
think of anything he had not done that needed such immediate attention, but the
mother was determined to find out what her “business” would be and to get it
done.
We
may laugh at such typical reaction but the underlying message was that we all
have a task to do. We all have some
work for God that needs to be done and that only we can do it. What is our Christian work?
The
scriptures this Sunday give us an indication about the responsibility that
faith in Christ lays upon us. The “business” we have been given by God as those
who walk in the footsteps of Christ Jesus is rooted in faith. Yet, that
business is not something we have never heard before: Do good for others and
carry your cross. However, as Christians, we are far more than social workers
or good humanitarians.
James,
our second reading and a very practical book, reminds us that: “faith of itself, if it does not have works,
is dead.” (Jas 2: 18). So we see the essential connection between our
faith in Jesus Christ and the concrete behaviors that flow from that faith. To
offer a suffering person: “the
necessities of the body” is not just a nice thought; it is a sign of our
faith. As we say, talk is cheap, James
implies. If our Christian faith is true, then it is lived out in concrete
behaviors of self-sacrificing charity towards others, especially the suffering
and poor. How often have we been reminded by our Holy Father Pope Francis to
never forget the poor and marginalized. Just to say, “I believe in Jesus” is
not enough if we go on living a life of luxury and greed.
In
the Gospel, Jesus strongly reminds Peter that he must reconsider what his
concept of the Messiah will be. Jesus told Peter: “The Son of Man must suffer greatly . . .” (Mk 8). Although Peter identified the truth about
Jesus’ identity, “You are the Christ!”
his thought was measured by the expectations of this world; by an earthly
understanding of power, prestige and wealth.
Thus,
the cross and suffering have no place in such things if we measure by this life
alone.
But
Jesus invited his disciples and us of course, to think about heavenly things. And
because Jesus is the Christ (the anointed One), and we are his followers, faith
in Jesus makes certain demands on us.
That “whoever wishes to come after
me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mk 8:34).
And
there’s the rub. We can imagine Peter’s
embarrassed and perplexed face as Jesus spoke those words, apparently quite
forcefully – he “rebuked” Peter. In no
uncertain terms, he wanted to strongly clarify his mission and purpose in
coming to humanity: to die and to rise. Yet, the temptations of Satan earlier in Jesus' desert fasting and prayer, loom again in Peter's words: to revoke his heavenly mission in favor of an earthly kingdom. Peter is not Satan but the temptations are real.
That the values we hold and assume are good – power, prestige, fame, fortune – are not always compatible with the Christian message and mission. Where is the cross in the life of the powerful, prestigious, famous, and wealthy? For what the cross implies is self-sacrifice, obedience, humility, forgiveness, mercy, generosity and to think of the other before self.
That the values we hold and assume are good – power, prestige, fame, fortune – are not always compatible with the Christian message and mission. Where is the cross in the life of the powerful, prestigious, famous, and wealthy? For what the cross implies is self-sacrifice, obedience, humility, forgiveness, mercy, generosity and to think of the other before self.
So
it is the sense of Jesus turning the values of this world upside down and
inside out. Yet, if power if used wisely
for the common good, and motivated by one’s Christian faith, then we are on the
right track.
If
prestige and position is used in order to make changes for the good and to
relieve the suffering of others out of love for Christ, then we get it!
If
wealth can be used to make things happen, to feed, clothe, educate, and heal
out of imitation of Jesus’ own healing ministry, then the face of Christ is
shown to the world.
We
can’t all live as Mother Teresa or Francis of Assisi. Such super-Saints have been called by God for
powerful reasons. Yet, we are all called
to live lives that are not passive but active – as we are able according to our
talent, resources, and situations. James
articulates this truth in the second reading about putting our faith into
action. We walk the talk as it
were. Actions first and words
second.
In
this celebration of the holy Eucharist, we know that God is not passive and
uninvolved in our lives. The stories and
lessons of the Scriptures constantly reveal a God deeply involved in his
creation and in particular inserted, through Jesus’ own coming, into human
history.
As
we break bread, we share in his very presence and life so that we may be
intimately connected with him and energized by the Spirit to carry on his
work.
So, this is our
business for the Lord. Can you get it done?
Look upon us, O God,
Creator and ruler of all things,
and that we may feel the working of your mercy,
grant that we may serve you with all our heart.
(Collect for Mass)
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