Benedictine Sisters of FL

Holy Name Monastery
Founded 1889

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Who Do You Say I Am?

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This is an interesting reading, and even a bit odd, giving us another insight into Jesus’ teaching methods.  First with those who are closest to him – who have been traipsing around the country for almost three years.  This is the group who believe in him so he is quick to correct their human thinking that gets in the way of their perception of just who he is.

I can see him (can you?) walking casually along with the twelve … the mix of who is nearest him changing every few minutes – as the group shifts, they compare notes about what he said to their group with what the others heard.   He stops and turns to the group and queries: Who do people say that I am?  Was He really in the dark?  Was he simply opening an opportunity for the disciples to express their loyalty to him?

At first, the disciples do not offer their personal feelings.  They repeat what they’ve been hearing: some say John, the Baptist; others say Elijah, or one of the prophets.   When Jesus continues: “But, you, who do you say that I am?”   A pregnant pause follows.  They’re waiting for a brave one to speak up.  Heads turn to Peter who seems to be never afraid to offer an opinion.    He doesn’t fail them.  “You are the Christ, son of the living God.”

Jesus seems quick to caution the disciples: “Don’t tell anyone.”  (Doesn’t he know by now that this is a sure-fire way to get the rumors flying?)   Does Jesus want us to hold miracles we experience or witness close to our hearts?  To be like Mary after the shepherds’ visit – pondering all these happenings in her heart?”  Or are we to be like the disciples?  Responsive, but as Jesus said, “Don’t tell until after the Son of Man has risen?

Our scene in today’s reading, turns from Jesus’ conversation with the disciples and his followers to what is to come.   Peter quakes in his boots conjuring up what Jesus is describing.  This is his friend!  So, he takes Jesus aside and in shock rebukes him, criticizes the one he has just acknowledged is the Son of God.  “You’ve got it all wrong!  What you say cannot happen to you.”

Have you ever done that?  Told Jesus he’s got it all wrong? Jesus cautions Peter, and us: “Wait a minute.  You are thinking not as God does but as human beings do.”  With that, Jesus summons the crowd.  Did you ever notice the settings that Scripture describes when Jesus speaks to the crowds on a hillside or from a boat?  Scripture usually says there were thousands of them!   No mic, no PA system, no big screen TV.   How did he do it?  I wonder, did the people really hear his voice or did they hear him in their hearts?  Or was it like the game of Gossip and his words spread rapidly from person to person???

Now Jesus next lets us know what it will take to continue to be a disciple of His.  Three qualities: deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me.   Easy as one, two three?  Not quite!

First: deny your worldly ways, drop your egotistical thinking and self-seeking and cease the ifs, ands and buts that are on the tip of your tongue in opposition to Jesus’ message.

Second: take up your cross.  It was personalized for just for you.  No two crosses are exactly the same.  You know the story of the person who rejected her God-given cross.  She asks God to exchange it for another.  So, God showed her his treasury of crosses.   You know which one she chose.  She spotted it immediately, the very one God knew all along would best fit her shoulders.

Third: (This is the good part.)  Follow Jesus.  You don’t have to invent the way.   Jesus has already cut the path for you.  Knock and the door will be opened.  Seek and you will find.  Listen and you will hear.

So, when at Mass, just after the homily, be ready to answer God in the words of the Creed: Who do YOU say that I am?  Ponder the titles of Jesus that have been your favorites through the years.  Who is Jesus for you at this stage in your life: Baby Jesus, Friend, Brother, Savior, Rock, Shepherd or on some days a shoulder to cry on, a friend to give you solace, or a pal to offer a gentle prod to do better, take the risk that looms before you.  Jesus asks each of us: “Who do YOU say that I am?”

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

 

 

First Reading:   Isaiah 50:5-9a         Second Reading:  James 2:14-18
Gospel:   Mark 8:27-35

 

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History tells the rest of the story: We’re Still Here.

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This incident found in John’s Gospel reminds us that not everyone took to Jesus positively, even those who seemed to be quite close to him.  Some of the people – not unlike today, were murmurers and grumblers – folks not too keen on what they were hearing. Following Jesus was going to be no picnic (despite the way he’d fed the five thousand people).   The idea of total commitment was a disturbing concept.

We hear it in that sad and haunting verse: “From that time many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him.”  Obviously hurt by this defection, Jesus turns to Peter and the others who are closest to him and asks them if they’ll be taking off too: “Will you too go away?”   Peter, with his usual style, spoke on behalf of all Jesus’ loyal followers: “Master, to whom would we go? You alone have the words of eternal life.” For Peter, at this time, it’s unquestionable: If Jesus said it, it must be true.  If you’ve looked ahead to the First Reading, you’re aware the church reminds us that Jesus’ experience of rejection was not unique.  1500 years earlier, Joshua, disciple of Moses, gives voice to a similar tribulation.  He addresses all the people: “If it does not please you to serve the Lord, decide today whom you will serve.”  The people answer in the same vein as Peter: “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord.”

One of my brother’s favorite books was: “This Tremendous Lover” by the Irish Trappist monk-priest Eugene Boylan. In 2002, I sent him a replacement copy for the one he’d given away.  At his death four years later, it was returned to me.  I had inscribed on the fly page: Bill, I hope this is as inspirational as you remember.  Boylan writes in his book: “Our Lord  was not looking for an enthusiastic public reception.  His miracles were not a ploy to grasp temporal power. The wonder of his public life is not the marvelous works He actually did, but the many and more wonderful works which He could have done and did not.  All He did and said and allowed to happen to him was part of God’s Grand Plan.”

What Jesus has to say is so important that he does not consider changing his message to please the people.  In fact, we can accurately say that a “Jesus” who doesn’t offend isn’t the real Jesus.

Our hearts go out to Jesus and to those who stuck with him.  If you have ever had anyone walk out on you, you can empathize with Jesus.  I recall the mixed feelings I had, when in the late 60s and early 70s we had five  deaths in one year.  It was not customary for those of us who were away for studies to come home for funerals, so there was a void for farewell until we got to visit the cemetery.  Then what some writers refer to as the “exodus”” began to happen and several of our peers felt the call to leave community. Some gave us a chance to say good-bye; others quite literally disappeared in the night.  These were good people. Some were rising leaders in community.  What did they know that I did not?  My feelings were not like the betrayal that Jesus suffered – but confusion and loneliness.    Were the shrinking numbers the handwriting on the wall and was I too blind to read it?

What does Jesus do when his ranks shrink?  Does he cajole the people, “Oh, I’m sorry that what I said was so hard to take.  Maybe we can compromise?”  Not at all!  Jesus does not let human opinion sway his proclamation of divine truth.  “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life”.  History tells the rest of our story: We’re still here!   God spoke long ago, through the mouth of Ezekiel: (36:23-28) “You shall live in the land I gave you long ago; you shall be my people, and I will be your God.”

If our ears are open to the voice of the Spirit, we hear daily Jesus’ quizzing us: “Who do people say I am?”  He asks us, as he does all his friends, about our personal conviction: “Who do you say I am?”  The question also comes to us as a community.  Are we swayed by “public conviction,” forming the community we think the public wants us to be?  Or are we formed by personal and communally discerned convictions that raise peoples’ hope and help to lead the world where it needs to go now?

~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB

 

Have a good week …  pray for enjoyment and safety for all who (next weekend) will be celebrating Labor Day holiday!

 

 

 

First Reading:   Joshua 24:1-2a. 15-17, 18b         Second Reading:  Ephesians 5:21-32
Gospel:   John 6:60-69
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