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 the organization’s identity-mission and their job profile.
Likewise, to belong to the “organization” of Jesus, disciples need to know Jesus’ identity and mission, and the profile of a disciple.
Today’s readings set out in clear, 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 king or a military leader; he is the suffering servant. The revelation of his identity culminates on Calvary when the centurion looks at Jesus on the cross and says: “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 facing the suffering that comes his way as a prophet.
But suffering has no place in Peter’s idea of messiahship. He rebukes Jesus, who tells him to take 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. Jesus is convinced that he will be raised from the dead. He promises his disciples that if they die to themselves, they will find life in communion with God.
We are not prospective disciples; we already belong to Jesus. We need to be clear about his identity-mission and our profile.
Who is Jesus for me: is he merely a wonderworker/ healer?
How do I see discipleship: as a taking up of my cross and following Jesus along the Via Dolorosa? Am I willing to accept pain and suffering and the grief of life?
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