Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time B - September 17, 2006Context from
http://liturgy.slu.edu/24OrdB091706/theword_working.htmlKey words and phrases from the Gospel: "You are the Christ," must suffer . . . be rejected . . . be killed . . . rise, come after me, take up . . . cross
To the point: This gospel reveals and explains the identity of Jesus as the Christ (= "messiah"): he is the One who must suffer, be rejected, and die to accomplish his mission. Christ's identity, in turn, reveals the mission of disciples: take up the cross.
Connecting the Gospel to the first reading: This passage from Isaiah (the Third Song of the Servant of the Lord) is otherwise found only on Palm Sunday (all three years) and on Wednesday of Holy Week. The tradition of associating this reading with the passion of the Lord makes it an appropriate complement to this Sunday's gospel prediction of the Lord's forthcoming death.
Connecting the Gospel to culture: In a consumer society we think that what we acquire or have reveals who we are. As Christians, we reveal who we are by what we give up—our lives.
Understanding Scripture:
Jesus, suffering Messiah: This Sunday's passage stands at the very middle of Mark's gospel and signals both a climax and a change in focus.
The persistent question about the identity of Jesus which has shaped the gospel to this point finds an answer in Peter's response to Jesus: "You are the Christ."
But, like the blind man who is healed in stages (Mark 8:22-26), Peter's profession is at first imperfect: he fails to see that this Messiah must suffer and die.
Peter's error is understandable. He identifies Jesus as "the Christ": this is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word "messiah" which means "anointed one." The name "Jesus" is the word for "savior." Thus, the name "Jesus Christ" means, "the anointed savior."
In the Old Testament kings, priests, and occasionally prophets were anointed when they began their office. The term is especially associated with the Davidic kingship.
When Peter identifies Jesus as the Messiah and Jesus apparently accepts that designation, Peter is perhaps thinking that Jesus is the anointed savior-king who will defeat the Romans and restore homerule to Judah This kind of messiah will be triumphant and glorious!
But Jesus quickly disabuses Peter of his misunderstanding by launching into a prediction of his forthcoming suffering and death.
Indeed, the meaning of Christ's messiahship becomes the focus of Jesus' teaching for the remainder of the gospel. His prediction, that the Son of Man "must suffer . . . be rejected . . . be killed . . . and rise," is the outline of the plot from this point on.
Along with Jesus' teaching about the Messiah goes a pronounced emphasis on what it means to be a disciple of this kind of Messiah: those who follow Jesus likewise deny self, take up the cross, and lose their life.
It is therefore ironic that Peter immediately attempts to become the master and teacher by "rebuking" Jesus! Jesus sharply reminds him that the proper place for a disciple is "behind" (8:33) or "after" (8:34) the Master.
Disciples of Jesus can understand their proper role—their true "selves"—only when they understand that Jesus is a Messiah who suffers and dies.
Opening:
Sing Out His Goodness(see sheet)Psalm:
RA-163Offertory:
Take Up Your Cross (cc-304)(instrumental)Com 1:
Now We Remain(cc-455) Com 2:
Above All(ss2-312)Closing:
Join in the dance(ss2-321) Verses 3 and 4CCM Closing:
Amazing Love (see sheet)
