What is the cost of discipleship? Let’s be honest… Christianity can be a
tough sell... especially during this times when the sins of the Church herself weigh on all of us. In order to follow Jesus it means making sacrifices,
changing and forming our lives to model what Jesus taught us… to what
God wants of us. For many this is a difficult path to follow, and even
harder to explain to others.
The Word for the 24tth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Isaiah 50:5-9a
Psalm 114:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
James 2:14-18
Mark 8:27-35
Our first reading is an elegant poem from second Isaiah. Coming from one of his well known “servant songs,” this first reading is a lament of sorts, as Isaiah bemoans the trials he must endure in his mission as a prophet. For all his complaints, however, he knows his mission is just. With the Lord God behind him, who could prove him wrong? Our Psalm reflects this idea of God standing behind us, both in this life and the next, as we sing, “I walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.” We are his hands, his feet, and his voice here on Earth.
Our first reading can also be seen as a foreshadowing for our Gospel. Continuing our travels with Jesus through Mark’s Gospel, we have Jesus and his Apostles en-route to Ceasarea Philippi. During the journey (some 25 miles from where they were in Bethsaida) he takes the opportunity to ask the disciples what the people are saying about him. He then turns the question to them, wherein Peter says “you are the Christ.” A little while later he begins to teach them about how the Son of Man must suffer and tells his disciples that he will be killed. This is the first time in Mark’s gospel where he speaks of his eventual death and resurrection. Hearing this, Peter takes Jesus aside to rebuke him, None of the disciples what to hear about his death. Jesus fires back at Peter, “Get behind me, Satan,” taking the opportunity to remind his disciples that there is going to be a cost for what they’re doing, but that by taking up that cross will also lead to their salvation.
None of us wants to suffer. We like to think that having faith in God is enough. Especially for those of us who live in the USA, where Christians are not being persecuted and executed for their beliefs. Yet to follow Christ means getting our hands dirty. This is what St. James is explaining in our second reading. Here he confronts the age-old issue of what leads to salvation… faith or good works. James teaches us that it takes both and that one must follow the other. One cannot profess to have faith because that same faith will manifest itself in performing good works.
Final Thoughts:
We’re all familiar with the phrase, “put your money where your mouth is.” It means that if we’re going to profess something, we must be willing to pay the price. If our conviction is true, we’re willing, if not eager, to place that bet. If there is any doubt, however, we hold back, especially when there’s “real money” on the table. Following the Christian life can lead to many joyful rewards, both in this life and the next. We also have to consider, however, that following our faith can also lead to sacrifices, even suffering. As our readings suggest, we must be willing to go “all-in” on this bet. Yes, there is risk, but as scripture reminds us, God’s got our backs.
The Word for the 24tth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Isaiah 50:5-9a
Psalm 114:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
James 2:14-18
Mark 8:27-35
Our first reading is an elegant poem from second Isaiah. Coming from one of his well known “servant songs,” this first reading is a lament of sorts, as Isaiah bemoans the trials he must endure in his mission as a prophet. For all his complaints, however, he knows his mission is just. With the Lord God behind him, who could prove him wrong? Our Psalm reflects this idea of God standing behind us, both in this life and the next, as we sing, “I walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.” We are his hands, his feet, and his voice here on Earth.
Our first reading can also be seen as a foreshadowing for our Gospel. Continuing our travels with Jesus through Mark’s Gospel, we have Jesus and his Apostles en-route to Ceasarea Philippi. During the journey (some 25 miles from where they were in Bethsaida) he takes the opportunity to ask the disciples what the people are saying about him. He then turns the question to them, wherein Peter says “you are the Christ.” A little while later he begins to teach them about how the Son of Man must suffer and tells his disciples that he will be killed. This is the first time in Mark’s gospel where he speaks of his eventual death and resurrection. Hearing this, Peter takes Jesus aside to rebuke him, None of the disciples what to hear about his death. Jesus fires back at Peter, “Get behind me, Satan,” taking the opportunity to remind his disciples that there is going to be a cost for what they’re doing, but that by taking up that cross will also lead to their salvation.
None of us wants to suffer. We like to think that having faith in God is enough. Especially for those of us who live in the USA, where Christians are not being persecuted and executed for their beliefs. Yet to follow Christ means getting our hands dirty. This is what St. James is explaining in our second reading. Here he confronts the age-old issue of what leads to salvation… faith or good works. James teaches us that it takes both and that one must follow the other. One cannot profess to have faith because that same faith will manifest itself in performing good works.
Final Thoughts:
We’re all familiar with the phrase, “put your money where your mouth is.” It means that if we’re going to profess something, we must be willing to pay the price. If our conviction is true, we’re willing, if not eager, to place that bet. If there is any doubt, however, we hold back, especially when there’s “real money” on the table. Following the Christian life can lead to many joyful rewards, both in this life and the next. We also have to consider, however, that following our faith can also lead to sacrifices, even suffering. As our readings suggest, we must be willing to go “all-in” on this bet. Yes, there is risk, but as scripture reminds us, God’s got our backs.
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