Where the rubber meets the road

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading I.     Is 50:5-9a
Reading II.    Jas 2:14-18
Gospel          Mk 8:27-35

If today was a celebrated feast of the Church it should be called 'Rubber meets the Road' Sunday. Let me explain.

In our first reading from the prophet Isaiah we get a glimpse of the Suffering Servant who is beaten, beard plucked, buffeted and spat upon but will not rebel against his God who sent him but rather declares "The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced;I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame." Jesus greatly Identified his mission with the prophecies of Isaiah and it is on this occasion that it was 'rubber meets the road' time for his disciples; two questions: Who do people say that I am?” “But who do you say that I am?”

The 'but' at the beginning of the second questions indicated that a different answer was expected between 'the people' and 'YOU' (disciples), "You are the Christ" Peter responded, only to show later on that he did not link "the Christ" with the Suffering Servant. This lead to Jesus' discourse on faith and discipleship.
Faith requires a complete change of mindset. Peter is scolded for "thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

Discipleship requires “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me."

Deny him/herself - this means to think/love like God, which is loving and serving others not ourselves. We live in a society of self absorption and that has been the root cause of all that plagues us. I swear there are many people who will run out of letter 'I's in their lifetime; that's all they speak of.

Take up the Cross - I've often had to preach "a Christian without a Cross...ain't". We would rather hear prosperity gospels and blessings of thousand-fold rewards rather than the cross. I don't like suffering, I don't do it well but if 'the Christ' didn't deny his own cross then who am I? I have to place my trust in the Father's love as he did.

Follow me - yes, it means to copy his example but it also literally means to stay behind him as HE leads. Jesus does not send us out where he would not go or not be with us

Discipleship requires faith just as faith produces discipleship quite like James 'faith' and 'works' we heard in the second reading. They are not mutually exclusive.

F.A.I.T.H ‐ Forsaking All I Trust Him.

But who do you say that I am? The answer changes everything.

Happy 'Rubber meets the Road' Sunday.
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Peace.