Homily Twenty-Fourth Sunday Year B Faith in Jesus
Homily:
Twenty-Fourth Sunday Year B
Reading
1: Who is Isaiah prophesying about? “I gave my back to those who beat me, my
face I did not shield from buffets and spitting….The Lord God is my help.” From
our perspective, it is Jesus in his passion which we will hear about in the
Gospel.
Through
the prophet God was preparing the people for the great mystery of his
redemptive love, the suffering and death and resurrection of his own divine Son
become man. But the focus of the prophet was not so much the sufferings of this
servant of the Lord, but his resolve to trust in God in the midst of his
sufferings. He endured this suffering even though he knew he was sinless and
innocent. He would be true to his identity and mission.
In
the midst of his sufferings on the cross, Jesus still could say, “Father,
forgive them for they do not know what they do.” “Father, into your hands I
commend my spirit.” When Isaiah says
that this suffering servant sets his face like flint, he means that he is
resolved to be fully obedient to the Father and to do his will in love.
How
often do we find ourselves in difficulties and struggles? How often we have
suffered at the hands of others though we were innocent of their attacks? Do we
turn to the Lord for his help? Do we trust in the Lord, knowing in faith He is
near and will uphold our right? The difference between Jesus and ourselves is
that we have sinned and he was sinless. At times, we may be reaping the
consequences of our sins.
Reading
2: This is a continuation of the last Sunday’s second reading. James is
balancing the emphasis Paul wrote that we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ.
The works of the Old Law did not save us. This is true. It is possible that in the community to whom
James is writing some interpreted Paul the way some Christians do today. They
say faith alone saves us.
James
reflects on Jesus’ teaching about the need to feed and clothe and give drink to
the needy out of love. This was very important in the life of the disciple.
James makes that very clear. It is faith in Jesus Christ that saves us, but
that faith must be expressed and lived in love by carrying for those in need.
He says faith not expressed in works or actions is dead, a matter of external
show. But faith accompanied with works demonstrate one’s faith in Christ. As
Jesus said: “It is not the one who says, Lord, Lord will enter the Kingdom of
heaven but him who does the will of my Father.”
Gospel
There
are three parts in the Gospel today. First, the confession of faith in Jesus by
Peter; second, the mystery of the cross is part of this; third, the need for us
both to believe in Jesus and follow in his footsteps by embracing our own
crosses.
First,
the need for the apostles to make a decision about the identity of Jesus. They
have been with Jesus for a period of time and have heard his teachings and seen
signs and wonders. “Who do you say I am to you at this point of our
relationship?” Peter, in faith, proclaims: “You are Christ” This is part of Jesus’
true identity. He is promised Messiah and Savior of the world.
Second,
Jesus reveals to them what it really means for him to be the Christ. This is
our connection to the first reading. He is the Suffering Servant prophesied by
Isaiah. Jesus reveals that he will live out his mission as the Christ by
suffering the cruel death of crucifixion.
To
this Peter reacted negatively. Though he gave the right answer, he had a wrong
understanding of its full meaning. Or maybe Peter really understood the
implication of Jesus’ predictions of his suffering, but was not ready to
embrace this himself. Peter was, in essence, telling Jesus to deny both his
identity and his mission.
Third,
Jesus rebukes Peter’s attempt to turn him from the cross. Instead, he emphasizes
the disciple is to acknowledge Jesus’ identity and mission and embrace the
mystery of the cross in one’s own life. Having faith in Jesus is not just
agreeing with a set of statements about Jesus. Having faith means following
him. It means giving our lives to him. Having faith means that we make Jesus
our way of life. And this is the way of the cross, the way of love.
Who
do you say I am? This is a question each disciple of Jesus needs to answer. If
he is Christ for us, then how do we respond to this reality? Is he truly the
Lord of our lives, at the very center of our lives? Do we embrace or run away
from the crosses in our path?
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