In Giving We Receive: 1 Kings 17:10-16; Heb 9:24-28; Mk 12:38-44 (32 B)

 

In Giving We Receive

 

1 Kings 17:10-16; Heb 9:24-28; Mk 12:38-44 (32 B)

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall have their fill” (Divine Office)

 

In ancient times widows were in a precarious situation if they did not have an adult son to protect and care for them. The widow of Zeraphath suffered from famine. Yet she cared for the stranger offering her little food. God rewarded her generosity. Elisha came upon another widow who cried to him, “Creditors have come to take my two children away as slaves.” She had no defender. She was at the mercy of dishonest judges. The Books of Exodus and Deuteronomy place a curse on anyone who would deprive widows of justice. The prophets noted that the land suffers the sin of those who abuse widows. 

 

God rewarded Ruth for her virtue. She said to her mother-in-law Naomi, “Wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people. Your God, my God.” The reward was that one of her great-grandchildren would be King David. Another descendant would be Jesus Christ. God never abandons virtuous people.  

 

Jesus attacked the scribes who devoured the houses of widows. He stated that the widow gave her whole livelihood from her poverty. It was praised for her generosity. These widows were poor but rich in faith. So often the poor are more generous than the rich. How had these widows become impoverished? Had shrewd people found ways to take advantage of them? Or were they merely victims of the economic system of their day? How had it happened that society could take advantage of the destitute? How does it happen that society continues to take advantage of those who have no protection?

 

The Church has written quite a lot about the sinful structures of society. Pope Francis has been determined to lead the Church to be mindful of the poor. Wealth is not bad. What is wrong and sinful is using improper means to gain wealth. What is wrong and sinful is wasting wealth without regard for the poor around us. Jesus marveled at a widow with little given to the Temple Treasury.  He rejoices when those who care for society. The strength of society is measured by the concern we have for the weakest members.

 

Jesus teaches that real giving must come from the heart. A gift given with a grudge or for display loses its value. But a gift given out of love, with a spirit of generosity and sacrifice, is invaluable. The amount or size of the gift doesn't matter as much as the cost to the giver. What we have to offer may look very small and not worth much, but if we put all we have at the Lord's disposal, no matter how insignificant it may seem, God can do with it and with us what is beyond our reckoning.

 

“How then shall we repay him? What fruit can we bear that would be worthy of what he has given us?” (Divine Office)

Shema New Israel! Dt 6:2-6; Hb 7:23-28 Mk 12:28-34 (31 B)

 

Shema New Israel!

Dt 6:2-6; Hb 7:23-28 Mk 12:28-34 (31 B)

The Lord is faithful in all his words and loving in all his deeds. Alleluia.

 

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind” is a prayer of every Jew in the Old Testament. Our love of God becomes illusory if it does not result in our loving each other even our enemies. And if the love of neighbor is divorced from the love of God, it could become refined self-love. So, it tells us that the love of God is realized only by the love of neighbor.

 

Just before the birth of Christ, someone asked Hillel, a renowned Jewish scholar, “Which is the greatest commandment?” He answered, “What you hate for yourself, do not do to your neighbor”. Commenting on the greatest Deuteronomic commandment, St Augustine advised, “Love God first, and then do what you will.” It means that if we love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind, then we cannot but be obedient to his will for neighbor.

 

John the evangelist writes, “Anyone who says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, is a liar, for how can a man who does not love the brother that he can see, love God whom he has never seen? So, this is the commandment that he has given us, that anyone who loves God must also love his brother” (1 Jn 4:20f).  If we embrace this commandment and put it into practice, it will become truly radical. We will be seen as odd and foolish by the non-Christians. Because the wisdom of God contradicts the knowledge of the world. The life comes from death, gain comes from loss, and receiving comes from giving. Christ had to die and come to life again so that we might share a new life with him in heaven. He gave up his life, his energies, and his time in the service of others.

 

We don’t have to tread the same path as Christ. What it indicates, however, is that our surrender to God does not mean that we retreat into a paradise of unreal spirituality. It means that if we love God, then we must concern ourselves with others. It means that we must rise above ourselves, and our interests, and become convinced by Christ’s words in St Paul, “There is greater happiness in giving than in receiving” (Acts 20:35).

 

Poet William Wordsworth once wrote, “The world is too much with us.” It means that people are so consumed by material pursuits that they are neglecting their connection to nature and essentially “wasting” their potential by not appreciating the beauty around them. “Shema Yisrael,” meaning “Listen Israel!” – Let us not focus on materialism in modern life. Let us do as much good as possible with our God-given powers in serving God and others. But Shema new Israel! Always remember the promise of Jesus: “Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty” (Jn 15:5).

 

“My son, pay attention to my words. Listen carefully to what I say” (Divine Office)

 

Blessed is the Peaceful in the Lord (All Saints Day); To be Purified and be Blessed (All Souls Day)

 

                    Blessed is the Peaceful in the Lord

                                            All Saints Day

 

Apo 7:2-4,9-14; 1 Jn 3:1-3; Mt 5:1-12a (Nov. 1/ B)

“The saints will dwell in the kingdom of heaven; their peace will last forever, alleluia” (Divine Office)

 

 

Each year, we commemorate the prayer life, witness, and exemplary life of the saints chosen by the Holy Mother Church. These saints serve as more than just examples. They are our family members with whom we remain connected in a spiritual tie known as the Communion of Saints. The beatitudes in today’s gospel remind us of Jesus’ teachings on happiness. In this reading, we rapidly observe that none of the people Jesus refers to as “blessed” or “happy”—the gentle, the oppressed, and the impoverished in spirit—were not the same when they lived in the world. St Paul says that “the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the sight of God” (1 Cor. 3:19). Little of what the world might consider happiness or wise is not blessed in Jesus’ model for happiness.

 

When Jesus uses the term “blessed,” what does he mean? This term can occasionally be interpreted as “favorable,” “happy,” or “fortunate.” Jesus states that those who suffer from poverty, grief, and persecution are blessed by God.  We should consider the Beatitudes as guidelines for our Christian living. We also proclaim this gospel reading on the feast of All Saints. The saints are those who followed the Beatitudes. They embodied the Beatitudes in the same way that Jesus did. We are also challenged on this day to live our lives according to the Beatitudes' promises and spirit.

 

 

 

To be Purified and be Blessed

All Souls Day

 

Job 19:1,23-27a; 1 Cor 15:51-57; Jn 5:24-29 (B)

“You made me from the clay of the earth; you gave me a body of flesh. Lord, raise me up on the last day” (Divine Office)

 

On the feast of All Souls, we pray for the souls of all those who have died. Today’s Liturgical readings focus on our belief in the resurrection of the dead and eternal life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains: “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death, they undergo purification, to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned” (1030–31).

 

Saint John of the Cross wrote extensively about the process of purification. He described two main purifications a soul going through on the journey toward perfection. The first is the night of the senses, by which every bodily sense and appetite is purified. The second is the night of the spirit, by which the intellect, memory, and will are fully purified by the perfection of infused faith, hope, and charity. Before the first purification, the soul is in the purgative way. While in between the two purifications, the soul is in the illuminative way. After completing the second purification, the soul enters the unitive way or mystical marriage.

 

As we participate today in this Commemoration of All Souls, let us pray for the dead who require final purification. Purgatory is God’s final mercy for those he loves with a burning and purifying love. Our prayers will open the floodgates of God’s love for them.

 

Jesus is the Resurrection and the life for all those who believe in him. This is the profession of faith we continue to make, and it is the promise on which we base our hope for eternal life for ourselves and for all those who have died. In his death and resurrection, Jesus has conquered death for all those who believe in him. We believe that we continue to share a relationship with those who have died. When we pray for the souls of the faithful departed, we are praying for the souls journeying through purgatory, being prepared for eternal life in heaven. We believe that our prayers for them will help to speed up their journey to eternal life with God in heaven. By this act of charity, we also obtain God’s grace and God will also be glorified.  

 

“My soul is thirsting for the God of my life: when can I enter and see the face of God?” (Divine Office)

JESUS! HELP ME TO SEE GOD IN YOU: Jer 31:7-9; Heb 5:1-6; Mk 10:46-52 (30 B)

 

JESUS! HELP ME TO SEE GOD IN YOU

Jer 31:7-9; Heb 5:1-6; Mk 10:46-52 (30 B)

“Blessed are your eyes, for they see” (Divine Office)

 

Jesus’ reputation as a healer has spread throughout his neighboring regions as he prepares for his triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The blind man, Bartimaeus called out Jesus for his pity. Bartimaeus persisted, calling out more loudly saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me”. It took a lot of courage and persistence for Bartimaeus to get the attention of Jesus. Usually healing stories in Markan Gospel, the actions accompany Jesus’ words. But here Jesus says that Bartimaeus’s faith has saved him. Jesus’ healing power is correlated with the faith of the person seeking for healing.

 

Jesus questioned Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?" He said, “Master, I want to see” (Mk 10:51). Jesus granted him not only physical sight but also, most importantly, spiritual vision —faith, which is the internal sight of God. Jesus gives the same question to us, “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus wants to draw out of us a personal response of faith and trust in his power to heal and make us whole. St. Clement of Alexandria once said, “Let us put an end to the oblivion of the truth; let us unclothe our heart and dispel the ignorance and darkness that, as a cloud, darkens our eyes, and let us contemplate he who is really God.” We need internal sight or spiritual vision. Our internal eye needs to be opened by the grace of God.

 

This miracle of Blind Bartimaeus reveals how God interacts with his beloved. Bartimaeus was determined to get Jesus' attention. Jesus could have ignored him, but he showed that acting was more important than talking. My driving school instructor told me that acting is more important than moving eyes and talking during the road test. Along with prayer the works of charity are more important. Bartimaeus was in desperate need and Jesus was ready to respond to his need, not only to empathize with his suffering, but to relieve it as well. St Paul says love is better than being able to speak the language of the angels (1 Cor. 13).

 

If we are not able to see his helping hand in our struggles, let’s say: “Lord, increase my faith.” If we are not able to see him in our enemies, let us pray, “Lord help my un belief”.  If any of our family members or friends sinking in the ocean of worldly attractions ceasing to practice their Catholic faith, let’s pray: “Lord Jesus, help them to see you.” The Master will generously respond.

 

“Help us to see that our bitterness is forgotten, our discord is resolved, and our sins are forgiven” (Divine Office).

 

To serve is to reign with Christ : Is 53:10-11; Heb 4:14-16; Mk 10:35-45 (B 29)

To serve is to reign with Christ

Is 53:10-11; Heb 4:14-16; Mk 10:35-45 (B 29)

“I know the plans I have in mind for you – plans for peace, not disaster... ” (DO)

 

There is an unquenchable thirst for recognition and fame, power and authority in every person. It is not exceptional in the lives of the disciples of Jesus thirsting for power, position, and authority. James and John, the sons of Zebedee, urged their mother to strike a deal with Jesus. The ambitious disciples wanted the highest position in the kingdom of Jesus. But Jesus reversed the world’s understanding of power, authority, and position, that is, the order of master and servant, lord and subject, first and last., etc. Jesus wedded authority with submission, position with disposition, and domination with humility.

Our Lord on several occasions rebuked the pride, vain-glory, and strife for pre-eminence which broke forth again and again. He did it by symbolic acts like setting a little child and exhorting them to be childlike spirit; washing feet and bidding them follow his example of condescension and humility. So, it would not grant them their request for prominence in his kingdom. He gave them the understanding that the bestowment of honors is governed by great moral laws and that will be the result of their operation in the heart and in society.

The two disciples who asked for power were promised the cup of sorrow instead and the baptism of suffering upon the cross of Calvary. They had some foretaste of their portion when they saw their Master in his humiliation and death. In the course of time, it enlarged their experience. James fell victim to the sword of the persecutor. John lived a long life of witness. Both were faithful to their Master, Christ unto death. Both lost all taint of earthly ambitions and followed the fellowship of their Lord’s cross and passion.

How can we live as ministers of one another, as servants of all in the family, in the Church, in the world?  All of us are endowed with lots of different gifts. We have a responsibility to develop our gifted talents in service to the Lord and his people. What can we do best? Some can care for “imprisoned” with mercy, compassion and justice. Others have a great deal of empathy for the sick. Others have a generous heart for the poor. Others are great parents not just to their own children but to those orphaned by the circumstances of their lives. We all have many talents. Talents are given to us to serve the needy in the kingdom. 

The Lord understands our failures, our limitations, our fear and the times that we lack confidence in ourselves to do his work. Yet he sees us using his talents like love and determination to seek him out in others and serve his presence as Saint Teresa of Calcutta did and said, “The fruit of love is service and peace”. And we share God’s reign by laying down our lives in humble service and love for one another.

“He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash-heap...” (DO)

 

Security in Jesus

Wis 7:7-11; Heb 4:12-13; Mk 10:17-30 (B 28)

“..come after me, will receive a hundredfold in return and will possess eternal life” (Divine Office)

 

 A wealthy young man observing all the laws from his childhood asked Jesus what he would need still to inherit eternal life. Jesus recommended him to give up his attachment to the wealth and share some wealth with the poor and follow him. He did not like Jesus’ proposal. He left Jesus. Why Jesus was so cautious about wealth?

 

Jesus was not opposed to wealth per se, nor to the wealthy. He had many friends who were wealthy. He teaches us to utilize wealth in a correct way. And he reiterates of the Old Testament wisdom, “Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is perverse in his ways” (Prov 28:6; Ps 37:16); “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to desist” (Prov 23:4). Having wealth itself is not a sin. But misplacing one’s own security and trust in wealth could lead one away from the very purpose and meaning of life. Wealth can make us falsely independent. The church at Laodicea was warned about their attitude towards wealth and a false sense of security: “For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing”. The rich man in the Gospel said, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry” (Lk 12:19). Jesus answered, “What is the use gaining the whole world and losing the soul?” (Mt 16:26).

 

Why does Jesus tell his disciples to “sell all” for the treasure of his kingdom? Treasure has a special connection to the heart, the place of desire and longing. The Lord himself is the greatest treasure we can have. That is the greatest joy. Jesus’ expression “sell all” could mean many different things such as letting go of attachments, false friendships, false influences, restless jobs, unnecessary entertainments, hypocritic style of life that might stand in the place of loving God first. We are invited to “sell” these things to gain Jesus.

 

The disciples said to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you” meaning to say what would be the reward?  Jesus promises them the priceless treasures of his kingdom such as freedom from fear, gripping power of sin, selfishness and pride, freedom from loneliness. This is the reward which we cannot buy. He alone can truly satisfy the deepest longing and desires of our heart. Are we willing to part with anything that might keep us from seeking true joy with Jesus?

 

Jesus called young man to place his hope and security in him. He gives us the same call. If we wish to enter into a personal relationship with him, we must empty ourselves so that Jesus can fill us with his treasure. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:3).

 

“The peace of Christ … surpasses all understanding and keep your minds and hearts in him” (Divine Office)

Indispensable Union with God: Gen 2:18-24; Hb 2:9-11; Mk 10:2-16

 

Indispensable Union with God

Gen 2:18-24; Hb 2:9-11; Mk 10:2-16

 “My son, pay attention to my words. Listen carefully to what I say” (Divine Office)

For the past three Sundays, we have been hearing Mark’s reports of conversations between Jesus and his disciples. In today’s Gospel reading, we heard the pharisees putting Jesus to test about the lawfulness of divorce. Under specific conditions, the Law of Moses allowed divorce (Dt 24:1-5). This law permits a husband to divorce his wife and not a wife divorces her husband. Jesus quoting the Book of Genesis brings the purpose and meaning in God’s original intention in establishing system of marriages. Jesus’ teaching is more restrictive distinguishing from the cultural norms of his time emphasizing the importance of family.

God intended women and men to be joined together in marriage. The purpose of marriage is raising of children. It is one of some purposes. How does the CCC define the sacrament of marriage? It defines as “a lifelong covenant between a man and a woman that is ordered toward the good of the couple and the procreation and education of children” (A.no.1601). By welcoming children and fostering their relationship with God, parents become co-creators. Marriage is a sacrament. A sacrament is a sign and real presence of God as we believe in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and other sacraments. In the sacrament of marriage, Jesus is present uniting his love to the love of the husband and wife when they live sacrificially. It requires a constant effort of goodwill cooperating with the grace of God. Living in married love with another means dying to self in many little ways, because love is a kind of laying down a life for one’s friend. They bear witness to the Kingdom of God.

The Hebrew word “ish-shah” means woman in English, the better meaning ‘indispensable partner’. The term suggests that the woman is to stand alongside the man as his equal in all the aspects of life. It affirms the Biblical saying ‘bone of my bones’, ‘flesh of my flesh.’ Jesus sets the high ideal of the married state as well as state of celibate life for the sake of the kingdom of heaven (Mt 19:11-12). Both the sacraments of marriage and celibacy are a call from God to live a holy life. Our lives are not our own, but they belong to God. The Second Vatican Council reminds us: “This sacred bond, with a view to the good of both the spouses and their offspring, and of society, does not depend on human will. God himself is the author of marriage, who has endowed it with various goods and ends, all of which are of enormous importance for the continuity of the human race” (Gaudium et Spes, n. 48).

Yahweh says, “In three things I was beautified and stood up beautiful both before God and men: the unity of brethren, the love of neighbors, a man and a wife that agree together” (Sir 25:1). We ask God’s blessing today upon all who celebrate the sacrament of matrimony. May you have the courage and strength to give witness to the presence of God in the union of husband and wife. 

“The Lord keeps safe all who love him” (Divine Office).

God’s Spirit Works Mysteriously: Num 11:25-29; Js 5:1-6; Mk 9:38-43,45,47-48 (26 B)

 

God’s Spirit Works Mysteriously

Num 11:25-29; Js 5:1-6; Mk 9:38-43,45,47-48 (26 B)

“…you are saved by grace, … but by the will of God through Jesus Christ” (Divine Office)

 

The Catholic Church is the original Christian Church that has been faithful to Christ for two thousand twenty-four years. But we also see how God works in other faiths too. Many determined faith-filled people who do not confess Jesus Christ, live for God, serve him in the poor, sick and destitute of all faiths. There are also various spiritual leaders such as Dietrich Boenhaffer, a Lutheran, Mahatma Gandhi, a Hindu, and Martin Buber, a Jew, Billy Graham, and R.R. K. Murthy in whom the Spirit of God works. The Spirit of God is still alive in the universal Church even the churches that do not share in the seven sacraments.

Eldad and Medad were not in the tent. They weren’t present with the 70 who received the Spirit of God in the days of Moses. Yet, Eldad and Medad received the Spirit. “Stop them,” Joshua said. Moses answered, “I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” (Num 11:29). During the ministry of Jesus, particular man baptized in the name of Jesus. He was not one of the Twelve. Perhaps he heard Jesus speak and wanted to spread the Gospel. And - “Stop him,” John said. Jesus replied, “Do not stop him…Whoever is not against us is for us” (Mk 9:40).

Gregory of Nyssa (330-395 AD) wrote, “God never asks his servants to do what is impossible. The love and goodness of his Godhead is revealed as richly available. It is poured out like water upon all. God furnishes each person according to his will the ability to do something good”. Do we rejoice in the good that others do? Jesus reprimands his disciples for their jealousy and suspicion. They were upset that someone who was not of their company was performing a good work in the name of Jesus. Are we like disciples when we get upset at the good deeds of others who seem to shine more than us? Paul says, “love is not jealous... but rejoices in the right” (1 Cor 13:4,6).

We are graced to live in the age of the Spirit of God. He transforms the world by working in the hearts of all good people. And thus, “The Church in the Modern World” (Vatican II), declared that all who are open to God, who are following their consciences, are themselves, in fact, members of the Church, saved by Jesus Christ. Eldad and Medad may not have been in the tent, and the one who was baptizing in the name of Jesus may not have been one of the disciples, but, still, the Spirit of God empowered them. What do we learn from this? The Spirit empowers people who had been away from the Church for years, inspiring them to return to the Church. Because the spirit of God works in them who continually ask forgiveness for the time they were away. Now the Spirit gives them meaning and purpose in life. Like Augustine they grieve, “Late have I loved thee” and learn that God never stop loving them.  They become the channel of the grace of God.

“..God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished in the Day of Christ..” (Divine Office)

Being Child-Like Ws 2:12,17-20; Js 3:16—4:3; Mk 9:30-37

 

Being Child-Like

Ws 2:12,17-20; Js 3:16—4:3; Mk 9:30-37

I have become everything in turn to men of every sort, so that …I might save them (DO)

 

Jesus made a dramatic gesture by embracing a child to show his disciples who really is the greatest in the kingdom of God. Children in the ancient world had no rights, position, or privileges of their own. What can a little child possibly teach us about greatness?

The disciples thought that being part of Jesus’ circle would bring them privilege and status. They wanted power. This is a self-centered ambition. James says, “you have an ambition that you cannot satisfy, so you fight to get your way by force”. James understands Jesus well in saying, “The wisdom that comes down from above.” This is God’s ambition.  It is the ambition to serve. Those who want to be first must make themselves servant of all. All our ambitions must be subservient to that God-inspired ambition. One must give priority to the most vulnerable in society, symbolized by the child, completely dependent on adults for one’s own wellbeing. Our ambition is to serve those who are not able to help themselves.

Jesus goes on assuring his disciples and us that in serving the most vulnerable we are in fact serving him. He identifies himself as powerless and he sets the ambition to serve him among the weakest members of society. The important thing is not to triumph, but to serve. Greatness is not in the intellect of the wise man, but in the naivety of the child. Thomas à Kempis says, “If you knew the whole Bible by heart, and all the teachings of the philosophers, how would this help you without the grace and love of God?”. By greeting the wise man, we satisfy our vanity. By serving the needy, we hug God, and we are purified by Him, and divinized.

God wants to fill us with his own glory. He opposes the proud hearted but gives grace to the humble (Lk 1; Js 4:6). If we want to be filled with God’s life and power, we need to empty ourselves of everything which stands in the way – pride, self-seeking glory, vanity, etc. God wants empty vessels so he can fill them with his own glory, power, and love (2 Cor 4:7). Are we ready to humble ourselves and to serve as Jesus did? At times humility might be seen as weakness. It is not weakness but it’s the highest spiritual grade we obtain.

St. Teresa of Calcutta said, “People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway. If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway. What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today will often be forgotten. Do good anyway. Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway. In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway”.

“I do all this for the sake of the gospel, to take my part in proclaiming it” (DO)

 

 

 

Jesus is my Savior: Is 50:5-9a; Js 2:14-18; Mk 8:27-35 (B 24)

 

Jesus is my Savior

Is 50:5-9a; Js 2:14-18; Mk 8:27-35 (B 24)

“A sword of sorrows pierced her blameless heart” (DO)

 

Today’s gospel reading is the central turning point of the Gospel of Mark that presents Jesus as a healer, exorcist, wonderworker, displaying an “authority”. This throws the Pharisees into confusion. The meaning of his activities resulted in a host of conflicting interpretations. That’s why Jesus questioned his disciples: “Who do you say that I am?”  Peter by the grace of God professed that Jesus was truly the “Christ of God” – “the Son of the living God” (Mt 16:16). The Greek word “Christos” or “Messiah” in Hebrew literally means “the Anointed One” – to redeem the fallen human race (Lk 9:20, Acts 2:14-36).

Jesus perhaps wanted to learn how people define him and clarify his own identity. When John the Baptist asked, “Are you he who is to come or should we look for another”? (Mt 11:3; Lk 7:19), Jesus did not answer directly but pointed to the signs of his healing. This can be interpreted as messianic signs. Jesus, learning about the necessity of the Cross points to the Servant songs in Isaiah foretelling that the Messiah must be a man of sorrow: “I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting” (50:6)

Faithfulness to his mission cost him his life. When Jesus began to articulate this reality, Peter rebuked Jesus. Peter could not accept the otherness of Jesus. Peter was comfortable in telling Jesus who he was, but when Jesus began to reveal himself who he really was, he became distinctly uncomfortable. Today, Jesus tells us “No cross, no crown.” There can be no Easter without Good Friday. What is the “cross” that you and I must take up each day?

Like Jesus we are called to deny ourselves and take up the cross for the sake of others. Our every action has divine significance for others. Maybe we don’t wreck ourselves up by taking drugs or getting drunk! Why? Not just out of self-respect, which is important, but because there are others for whom our health is important. Young people refrain from sex outside of marriage not because of the Church law but they can give themselves totally to those persons they commit to for life. The married remain faithful as one of many ways of declaring their love for their spouse. And the consecrated remain faithful to their vows. Christianity is not self-centered love. A Christian is called to be “alter Christus”.

Can you and I answer now, who is Jesus for us? The Catechism reminds us that ‘the Church progresses on her pilgrimage amidst the persecutions of the world (temptations of the world) and the consolations of God’ (n. 769). This is the path to follow Christ and to make him known: “Whoever wishes to come after me... take up his cross and follow me” (Mk 8:34). May the Holy Spirit give each of us the gifts and strength to live the Gospel faithfully. God bless you. 

“For if he could die in body, could she not die with him in spirit?” (DO)