Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ Isaiah 50: 5-9; Psalm116; James 2: 14-18; Mark 8: 27-35
No matter what the Servant suffers, he (or the whole people of Israel for whom “he” stands) , is not disgraced. With loud cries and tears the “lowly one” calls and God frees him from death, says the psalmist. James continues to call for a true faith which expresses itself in works. Even the devil can recite the “truths” of doctrines, but cannot love, love from which springs any “work.” Jesus calls Peter Satan. What is going on? Jesus has just disabused his friends about who is Messiah; the Messiah will be a lowly one, a servant, a suffering servant at that. Peter tries to dissuade Jesus, and Jesus explodes. Jesus teaches the crowd and the disciples that to be with Jesus we too must take up our cross.
What is your cross today? Where do you get grace to carry it? Alone? With others? How do you express your faith? Dis-grace. When have you felt disgraced? without grace in God’s eyes? Ask God. Listen.
So much of our world is in distress, as well you know, Jesus. Let us help you carry the crosses of those without work, food, water, medicine. We want to serve you in the lowly ones, to remain lowly ourselves.