By sharing Jesus, we answer the call to lift up those in distress
by Sister Mary Kabat
"Look upon us, O God ... grant that we may serve you with all our heart. " *
If you were hoping for a Sunday of light, joyful, peaceful Scripture readings, this Sunday isn’t it! In fact, as I did my first reading through I had to recheck the date. The Scriptures have more of a Lenten tone.
The passage from Isaiah (50:4c-9a) leads into the passages of the Suffering Servant. The servant’s back is being beaten, his beard is being plucked, his face is being spat upon. Yet, the servant knows and trusts in God, his help.
The first half of the Gospel (Mark 8:27-35) fills one with pride for Peter’s strong faith, as he responds to Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” with a confident “You are the Christ.” But shortly after, Jesus rebukes him with “Get behind me, Satan,” when Peter rebukes Jesus for talking of his coming suffering and death.
Yes, we would prefer a light, joyful and peaceful time, but that does not describe the time we are living in nor that of many other people around the world who are living in areas of war and where they lack the most basic of needs. It is Jesus’ life and words we must follow to bring his light, his joy and his peace to the world.
* from the Collect for the 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time. ©2024 International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
Thank you Mary for the encouragement that life is not always easy. We need to follow Jesus.