WHO IS CHRIST? WHO IS A DISCIPLE?
Isaiah 50:5-9a; James 2:14-18; Mark 8:27-35
Before joining an organization, prospective members need to know two things: the identity and the mission of the organization; and their job profile.
Likewise, to belong to the “organization” of Jesus, disciples need to know two things: Jesus’ identity and mission; what is involved in being a Christian.
Today’s readings set out in clear and unambiguous terms the answers to these questions.
The Gospel is the mid-point of Mark’s Gospel.
The first part of the Gospel revealed Jesus as the Messiah who mediates God’s power by teaching and healing with authority. It reaches its climax with Peter’s faith declaration: “You are the Christ.”
The second part will reveal the kind of a Messiah Jesus is and will be: one who must suffer, be rejected, and be killed. Must! There is a necessity about his suffering and death. Jesus is not a glorious Messiah; not a David-like figure; not a military leader. He is the suffering servant. The revelation of Jesus’ identity culminates on Calvary when the centurion looks at the cross and says: “Truly, this was the Son of God.” The crucified Jesus is the Son of God.
The first reading forms a backdrop for the Gospel! It highlights the resoluteness of Yahweh’s servant in unflinchingly facing up to the suffering that necessarily comes his way as God’s prophet.
But suffering has no place in Peter’s idea of messiahship. He rebukes Jesus, who tells Peter to take his place as a disciple… behind the Master!
Jesus tells Peter to take up his place as a disciple – behind the Master! The disciple must take up the cross, lose his/her small- fearful-insecure self and follow Jesus. Being a disciple necessarily involves suffering.
Messiahship and discipleship are not only about suffering and the cross. Jesus is convinced that he will be raised on the third day (it indicates something definitive]; he promises his disciples that if they carry their cross and die to their selves, they will find their real life in communion with God.
We are not prospective disciples. We already belong to Jesus, but we need to be clear about his identity and a disciple’s profile.
Who is Jesus for me? Is he merely a wonder-worker? A healer?
How do I see discipleship? Do I see it as a taking up of my cross and following Jesus along the Via Dolorosa? Am I willing to accept pain and suffering of any sort, and the grief of life we can do nothing about?
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