Mark 8: 27 - 35
The Word: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091221.cfm
There is no doubt that our American culture
places a great emphasis on the importance of work. The evaluation of the economy is often made
based upon how many jobs are available and what the unemployment rate is for
that month. We hear it all the time. In
this time of the ongoing pandemic, we see “help wanted” signs everywhere.
Working hard is a value that is respected but
we know that sometimes working too much can cause both health and personal
problems. If one classifies as a “work-a-holic” they may potentially be headed
for problems. Yet, we often will place
value upon another based upon the job they have and the amount of work they
do. One of the first questions we may
ask of someone we have just met is, “So, what do you do for a living?” Yet, we
are much more than our “work” or occupations.
Our second reading this Sunday from the very
practical letter of James reminds us that: “faith of itself, if it does not have
works, is dead.” (Jas 2: 18). Is James
referring to manual labor or one’s occupation?
The work that James refers to is not something that we are hired to
perform. We should not be motivated solely
by our paycheck or the promise of advancement in a job. James speaks of
Christian discipleship as the “works” of faith by which our belief is seen in
identifiable actions.
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 actions of
self-sacrificing charity towards others, especially the suffering and poor.
Just to say, “I believe in Jesus” is not enough if we go on living a life of
luxury and greed. Christian discipleship
demands a certain conversion and a particular sense of the real value of things
and the potential for their use to do good for others. In fact, it is the real
motivator by which we do what we do.
For example if we find ourselves as tight
fisted, if we offer another a closed fist rather than an open hand we find that
the only real value in life is myself!
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!” but his thought was measured by the
expectations of this world; by an earthly understanding of power, prestige and
wealth. Thus, the thought of a suffering Messiah has no place in such things.
I find it very compelling that Peter rebuked
Jesus for his implication that he will “suffer greatly.” It was as if he was
saying to Jesus: “Look, you’ve got to get over this suffering and rejection
line. You’ll never be successful with that story so you need to speak more of
power and domination as the one who will save our people. That’s what we hope the Messiah will be for
us.” In other words, he tried to give Jesus a real reality check; a dressing
down as it were. “Rebuke” is a harsh word implying a sharp disapproval of
another’s opinion, likely said with force.
The result of that thinking is clear as Jesus
turns the tables quite shockingly in response to Peter’s correction. In turn he rebukes Peter even more pointedly
by referring to him as “Satan” and demanded that he get out of his way so that
his true mission would be fulfilled.
Remember Jesus’ temptations in the desert by Satan. One was clearly an invitation to abandon his
mission as the devil showed him “all the kingdoms of the world in their
magnificence.” He pledged that he would
give Jesus all the power and glory he could see if only he would worship the
evil one. A futile attempt at the least.
So, Peter’s rebuke, his bold correction or
stumbling block as it were, was another temptation of the same, through Peter
this time. There is no doubt that Satan
watched Jesus very carefully throughout his public ministry and continued to
make efforts at blocking his mission for the world. Once again, Jesus rebukes
the devil with another wasted attempt. Poor Peter may have stood there a bit
red faced for his rebuke and buying in to popular opinion so strongly.
But Jesus invited Peter and his other disciples
and us of course, to think about heavenly things. To see his mission, and our own, our good
works in his name, as God intends. 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 perplexed face as
Jesus spoke those words, apparently quite forcefully. In no uncertain terms, he wanted to strongly
clarify his mission and purpose in coming to humanity: to die and to rise. To
be the model of the suffering servant.
That the values we hold and assume as good –
power, prestige, fame, fortune – are not always compatible with the Christian
message and mission. Where is the cross in the life for those who pursue power
for its own sake, or to lord it over others? For what the cross implies is
self-sacrifice, obedience, humility, forgiveness, mercy, generosity and to
think of the other before self. We must be people of open hands with God and
not clenched fists.
So the works we do are an essential part of
our faith. Yet, on the other side, it is more than just being nice to
others. Doing good for humanity, while a
great value, for a Christian is only half complete. The motivating force for doing works of mercy
and compassion; of self-sacrifice must be our faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus speaks of his suffering and death; his
submission to a force in which he lost his life. The ultimate victory was of course the
resurrection for it broke the dark power of death.
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.
Yet, we are all called by our faith 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 in actions
first followed by works.
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. God works very hard on
behalf of his creation and in particular for our salvation in Christ.
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.
------------------------------------------------
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.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
(Collect of Mass)
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