24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reflection for 24^th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Sept. 12, 2021

Isaiah 50:5-9a:  This is a great passage for describing submission to the Will of God and trust in God’s protection, defense and help. Isaiah starts this passage by acknowledging that even his ability to hear the words of Scripture is a gift from God that he depends upon. The prophet describes his docile submission to persecution and suffering often experienced by those who serve the Lord.  Isaiah then proclaims his total reliance upon God to be his help, such that he (Isaiah) is “not disgraced.” Isaiah expresses trust that God will defend him from his enemies and effect justice for him if he is unfairly accused or the victim of ill treatment.  We, too can have such confidence in God to care for us in all of our trials!

Psalm 116: “I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.” In today’s psalm, the theme of having trust and confidence in God’s attentiveness and saving power continues.  The first stanza in this psalm reflects trust that God listens to our prayers and thankfulness for God’s attentiveness. The second stanza describes a time of trial, uncertainty and fear and how the psalmist cried out to God, asking for protection and help. Later, the psalmist celebrates that God is just and merciful and then proclaims that God saved him, in response to his petition. The psalmist ends this psalm with a tone of rejoicing and thanksgiving. There is a transcendent tone to the last stanza as the psalmist describes being freed from death and sorrow as well as a sense of trust and confidence that God has freed his “feet from stumbling.” When we walk before the Lord and trust in Him, we can walk with confidence.

James 2:14-18: This passage stresses a very important element of “living” the life of faith. We can be very prayerful and maybe even talk about our faith a lot in order to proclaim it to others. However, James reminds us, the most powerful and effective way for us to evangelize and attract others to the faith is to engage in good works and activities that demonstrate our faith. We can speak a lot about God’s love, but we show concrete signs of that love when we serve others. God is love. Hence, the best way to teach others about God’s love is to “radiate” evidence that love by our own loving acts for others. Jesus didn’t just talk about God, the Father’s love. He lived it out by healing the sick, comforting the afflicted, feeding the hungry and by giving tired and depressed people the hope of a new manner of living; the Christian “Way.” We’re called to bring others to Jesus, by following His example.

Mark 8:27-35: Today, Jesus asks His disciples who the people say He is, or how they interpret Him. The disciples respond that the people recognize Jesus as akin to great religious persons of the past, such as John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the prophets.  When Jesus asks the disciples who they say that He is, Peter responds with God-given wisdom: “You are the Christ.” Peter recognizes Jesus as the Messiah. Peter could only recognize Jesus, as God allows this. Once again, we’re totally dependent upon God for all inspiration, wisdom and knowledge. Nothing we have comes from us. We’re totally dependent upon God. As Jesus relates in today’s Gospel, to save our lives, we must relinquish all and follow Him, serving others and loving God, with trust and confidence.

Let’s do it!  

Deacon Matt