Peter’s profession of faith

September 13, 2015
Sunday, 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
1st Reading: Is 50:5-9a
2nd Reading: Jas 2:14-18
Gospel: Mk 8:27-35

Jesus set out with his disciples for the villages around Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” And they told him, “Some say you are John the Baptist; others say you are Elijah or one of the prophets.”

Then Jesus asked them, “But you, who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” And he ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

Jesus then began to teach them that the Son of Man had to suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the Law. He would be killed and after three days rise again. Jesus said all this quite openly, so that Peter took him aside and began to protest strongly. But Jesus turning around, and looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter saying, “Get behind me Satan! You are thinking not as God does, but as people do.”

Then Jesus called the people and his disciples and said, “If you want to follow me, deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me. For if you choose to save your life, you will lose it; and if you lose your life for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel, you will save it.

D@iGITAL…
EXPERIENCE
Daily Gospel in the Assimilated Life Experience

While Peter was saying the right words, his heart was not ready for the truth. After Jesus explained to Peter the truth behind the meaning of “Messiah” Peter took Jesus aside and protested, for he found sufferings incompatible with his concept of “Messiah”.

Deep in our hearts is the secret wish for a “crossless” discipleship. Unfortunately we follow a Messiah who carries a cross. Either one accepts Jesus as Messiah and recognizes the indispensability of sufferings to Christian life, or he doesn’t accept Jesus at all. Suffering, of course, must be viewed from the perspective of our identity as Body of Christ governed by the Law of Love. Many members violate this law and in the process inflict sufferings upon other members. To help these violators the Gospel prescribes fraternal correction (Matthew 18:15). Some listen while others persist misusing their freedom and in the process render miserable the lives of many.

It is in this context that sufferings become salvific to innocent victims. By innocent victims we are referring to those who have tried their best to conquer evil with good but finding their oppressors determined to continue misusing their freedom to make lives miserable, they suffer in silence as they surrender themselves to the Lord. These are those who truly understand who Jesus is.—Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., DM. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.frdan.org.

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