“FIRST IMPRESSIONS”

24^th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
September 15, 2024

Isaiah 50: 5-9a; Psalm 116;
James 2: 14-18; Mark 8: 27-35

by Jude Siciliano, OP

Dear Preachers:

We have heard from St. James these past 2 Sundays. Last week he called his Christian community to care for the poor and to avoid favoritism by honoring the rich and shunning the poor. He wasn’t just talking about how we should treat others in society, but in our very Christian congregation as we gather for prayer. If we show  partiality we divide the community, segregating the wealthy from the poor, and the poor from the wealthy. To favor the wealthy is to be one with the rich. That places us contrary to God’s will.

Today James tells us what else will divide the community: mere cheery words of encouragement to those lacking clothes, food and warmth. “Go in peace, keep warm and eat well.” Such attitudes are contrary to the heart of the Scripture.  We are not talking here of ritual purity and dogma. The Scriptures first stress care for the poor and needy. The Israelites were delivered from slavery and as acknowledgment of the God who saved them they were, in turn, to show mercy to the poor in their midst. The stranger was not to be treated as an outsider, but with compassion and kindness. When Israel was a “stranger” in Egypt that’s what God did for them.  Does that say anything to us modern Christians on how we are to treat the “stranger,” – exile and refugee – in our midst?

Mark’s gospel is terse and moves rapidly. Jesus has called his disciples, begun preaching, performed miracles, and drawn crowds. But he also has opposition from the religious officials whose authority he has challenged. Things are moving along quite quickly. Today we are at a core moment in Mark, as Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” From the answers they give him it is obvious he has stirred the hopes of his Jewish listeners. Some believe he is John the Baptist, others Elijah, “still others one of the prophets.” He could not be more popular than that! People have seen in him expectations of a new deliverance from tyranny and a restoration to favor with God.

Jesus continues to probe as he asks, “But who do you say I am?” Peter makes a confession of faith, “You are the Christ.” But we know Peter’s notion of who the Messiah will be does not tally with Jesus’ identity and intentions. Jesus seems harsh in his response to Peter. It is also hard for us to hear what Jesus says after his rebuke. They never would have imagined that the One God had anointed to save the people would have to suffer. Add to that the disturbing announcement that anyone who wishes to follow and serve Christ must also suffer.

The passage certainly is contrary to any pietistic paintings we recall of Christ, and those gathered around him, illumined by a light from heaven. Or, images of angels hovering over Christ to protect him.  Because, as he predicts, he will face harm and so will those who answer his invitation to follow. If we understand the meaning of his suffering we will then be able to hear his call to us.

A question for those of us who gather in worship is: while we pray and confess Jesus our saving Lord, do we also confess our faith in the Jesus revealed in our passage from Mark today? As we hear the Scriptures proclaimed Jesus is also renewing his call to us to follow him. The call has not changed over 2000 years; it is alive for us right now.

We have the tendency to dilute the intensity of Jesus’ call. We might say: “The radical meaning of Jesus’ invitation was meant for that first round of disciples. Popular descriptions of Jesus in the media and public forums make him sound like a nice guy, available as a “soft touch.” “Sweet and gentle Jesus,” does not sound that concerned about our messed-up world. Nor does he seem to be calling us to get our hands dirty addressing issues that are difficult and costly to us.  If these are our images of Jesus then we might take the call of Jesus to require only slight modifications in our usual routines.

Giving our “Yes” to following Jesus and acknowledging him as the Christ is not a past tense decision. Each day, in some way, we have to say, “Yes” again to the call Christ speaks to us; act on what we hear and suffer the consequences that “Yes” may require.

Jesus embraced the poor, ate with outcasts, healed the sick, challenged the bigots and forgave sinners. If we are his followers we are to do the same. And when we do we must be prepared to suffer the consequences of our words and actions, just as he did. Following Christ is not something we take on by ourselves. Jesus has promised to pour out his Spirit to empower and guide us. He has also given himself to us as food for our difficult journey. That is why we come together to worship; to let Jesus fulfill the promise he has made to us.

Click here for a link to this Sunday’s readings:

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091524.cfm