September 15, 2024
Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
It would be difficult to miss the connection between the symbolism of the First Reading (Isa. 50:5-9a) and the narrative of the Gospel from Mark (8:27-35) for today, which is where we find one of the three passion predictions made by Jesus to his disciples.
The reading from Isaiah paints a vivid picture of a victim, an Israelite often known as the Suffering Servant, who describes the suffering from his enemies that he endures even though he is obedient to the word of God. He insists, “I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me. My face I did not shield from buffets and spitting.”
One would be hard pressed not to notice the details in Isaiah which are also found in the passion narratives: the torture and beating, the scourging at the pillar, the mockery and the jeering and spitting in the face of Jesus. Yet the Suffering Servant maintains his trust in God: “See the Lord God is my help, who will prove me wrong.” (Isa. 50:9a).
When we turn to the Gospel, Jesus is traveling to Caesarea and Philippi with his disciples. On the way he asks them, “Who do people say that I am? ) Mk. 8:27b0. The crowds that have been following Jesus have yet to determine his true identity. They think he could be John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the other prophets.
But then he asks the disciples directly, “Who do you say that I am? (Mk. 8:29a). Peter, the leader and spokesperson for the group does not hesitate with his response. He proclaims, “You are the Christ. (Mk. 8:29b).
Jesus continues to tell his followers that as the Son of Man, the divine representative of God, he will go on to suffer greatly, be rejected and be killed by the Jewish leaders in cooperation with the Romans. But he will rise again on the third day. Peter takes exception with this and refuses to believe Jesus. He thinks that as the messiah Jesus should be a warrior, a king, or a powerful political leader. But Jesus rebukes Peter.
He tells him, “You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” (Mk. 8:33). Jesus then proclaims to the crowd, “Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the Gospel, will save it. (Mk. 8:35).
This is Jesus, the anointed one and messiah who trusts in the Sovereign Lord for vindication. He is the one who brings redemption to the human race, the Suffering Servant of Isaiah who redeems the world.
