Readings for Friday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 James 2:14-24, 26
We are given St. James famous “Faith without works” monologue. The author lays the foundation for the Church’s understanding of justification through both faith and actions (to be clear, justified in this context means – “the act of God whereby humankind is made or accounted just, or free from guilt or penalty of sin.”) The NAB footnote does a good job of explaining a difficult theological issue-
“The theme of these verses is the relationship of faith and works (deeds). It has been argued that the teaching here contradicts that of Paul (see especially Romans 4:5-6). The problem can only be understood if the different viewpoints of the two authors are seen. Paul argues against those who claim to participate in God's salvation because of their good deeds as well as because they have committed themselves to trust in God through Jesus Christ (Paul's concept of faith). Paul certainly understands, however, the implications of true faith for a life of love and generosity (see Gal 5:6, 13-15). The author of James is well aware that proper conduct can only come about with an authentic commitment to God in faith (James 2:18, 26). Many think he was seeking to correct a misunderstanding of Paul's view.”
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 112:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
R. Blessed the man who greatly delights in the Lord’s commands.
This hymn of David exalts the person who follows the Law of God. A number of actions associated with this faithfulness are presented including acts of generosity, mercy charity, and honesty. That person, we are told, will be held up by God.
Gospel Mark 8:34–9:1
From the footnotes again we see: “This utterance of Jesus challenges all believers to authentic discipleship and total commitment to himself through self-renunciation and acceptance of the cross of suffering, even to the sacrifice of life itself. Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it . . . will save it: an expression of the ambivalence of life and its contrasting destiny. Life seen as mere self-centered earthly existence and lived in denial of Christ ends in destruction, but when lived in loyalty to Christ, despite earthly death, it arrives at fullness of life.”
The last verse (9;1) is understood to mean the power of God’s kingdom on earth, the Church. Others clearly believed that the Parousia (second coming) was imminent.
Reflection:
Yesterday we saw St. Peter ask Jesus to lead the disciples down an easier course; we should follow his emphatic response in rebuking him. Apparently, this is how it happened:
Jesus had been talking to the disciples as they walked along at the head of a fairly large crowd of followers. He asked his closest friends “Who are they saying I am?” The disciples answered casually; “Some say you are John the Baptist, others Elijah and still others a prophet.” Jesus must have gotten more intense and asked “and you, who do you say I am?” We can almost see it. As Jesus asked the question, the whole group probably stopped in the middle of the road. St. Peter answers “We believe you are the Christ.” Jesus sees the awe with which they hold him. He tells them not to tell anyone and starts to explain that this great leader they expect will be rejected by the heads of the Temple and put to death and rise in three days.
This is where St. Peter pulls him aside and tells him he’s gone too far. Now we pick up the story today. Jesus had been speaking just to the disciples up to this point. A little knot of men gathered around their teacher. Now Jesus calls up the rest of the crowd (Peter must have been thinking “Oh boy, here we go.”). Jesus tells the crowd, many of whom were curious about the Lord having heard about the signs he had performed, that the road he is walking is a difficult and unpopular path and that if they want to follow him, they must put everything else in their lives aside and live the principles that Jesus is giving them.
The weaker ones in the crowd are now looking at each other thinking “What have I gotten myself into?” Jesus goes on “For 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.” Now those who were a bit shaky are leaving like summer Mass-goers late for a tee time. Who said anything about dying?
But this is what Jesus had to tell them and us. That if we want to follow him, God must be first in our lives. It is not always fun and in fact we know it will be hard. It is the strength of his call today that should give us pause for thought as well. We may have other responsibilities in our lives – jobs, school, family and civic responsibilities, but through all of these things our dedication to Christ and the Gospel must be first. We dare not compromise. “What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?”
Today we take in the whole tableau of Jesus on that dusty road. We are a bit daunted by how hard it is to walk where he walks, but strengthened by the Holy Spirit we rededicate ourselves to the path, the Way. We pray today that our feet will be firm upon that path.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture today “Christ Carries the Cross” by El Greco, 1580s
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 James 2:14-24, 26
We are given St. James famous “Faith without works” monologue. The author lays the foundation for the Church’s understanding of justification through both faith and actions (to be clear, justified in this context means – “the act of God whereby humankind is made or accounted just, or free from guilt or penalty of sin.”) The NAB footnote does a good job of explaining a difficult theological issue-
“The theme of these verses is the relationship of faith and works (deeds). It has been argued that the teaching here contradicts that of Paul (see especially Romans 4:5-6). The problem can only be understood if the different viewpoints of the two authors are seen. Paul argues against those who claim to participate in God's salvation because of their good deeds as well as because they have committed themselves to trust in God through Jesus Christ (Paul's concept of faith). Paul certainly understands, however, the implications of true faith for a life of love and generosity (see Gal 5:6, 13-15). The author of James is well aware that proper conduct can only come about with an authentic commitment to God in faith (James 2:18, 26). Many think he was seeking to correct a misunderstanding of Paul's view.”
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 112:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
R. Blessed the man who greatly delights in the Lord’s commands.
This hymn of David exalts the person who follows the Law of God. A number of actions associated with this faithfulness are presented including acts of generosity, mercy charity, and honesty. That person, we are told, will be held up by God.
Gospel Mark 8:34–9:1
From the footnotes again we see: “This utterance of Jesus challenges all believers to authentic discipleship and total commitment to himself through self-renunciation and acceptance of the cross of suffering, even to the sacrifice of life itself. Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it . . . will save it: an expression of the ambivalence of life and its contrasting destiny. Life seen as mere self-centered earthly existence and lived in denial of Christ ends in destruction, but when lived in loyalty to Christ, despite earthly death, it arrives at fullness of life.”
The last verse (9;1) is understood to mean the power of God’s kingdom on earth, the Church. Others clearly believed that the Parousia (second coming) was imminent.
Reflection:
Yesterday we saw St. Peter ask Jesus to lead the disciples down an easier course; we should follow his emphatic response in rebuking him. Apparently, this is how it happened:
Jesus had been talking to the disciples as they walked along at the head of a fairly large crowd of followers. He asked his closest friends “Who are they saying I am?” The disciples answered casually; “Some say you are John the Baptist, others Elijah and still others a prophet.” Jesus must have gotten more intense and asked “and you, who do you say I am?” We can almost see it. As Jesus asked the question, the whole group probably stopped in the middle of the road. St. Peter answers “We believe you are the Christ.” Jesus sees the awe with which they hold him. He tells them not to tell anyone and starts to explain that this great leader they expect will be rejected by the heads of the Temple and put to death and rise in three days.
This is where St. Peter pulls him aside and tells him he’s gone too far. Now we pick up the story today. Jesus had been speaking just to the disciples up to this point. A little knot of men gathered around their teacher. Now Jesus calls up the rest of the crowd (Peter must have been thinking “Oh boy, here we go.”). Jesus tells the crowd, many of whom were curious about the Lord having heard about the signs he had performed, that the road he is walking is a difficult and unpopular path and that if they want to follow him, they must put everything else in their lives aside and live the principles that Jesus is giving them.
The weaker ones in the crowd are now looking at each other thinking “What have I gotten myself into?” Jesus goes on “For 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.” Now those who were a bit shaky are leaving like summer Mass-goers late for a tee time. Who said anything about dying?
But this is what Jesus had to tell them and us. That if we want to follow him, God must be first in our lives. It is not always fun and in fact we know it will be hard. It is the strength of his call today that should give us pause for thought as well. We may have other responsibilities in our lives – jobs, school, family and civic responsibilities, but through all of these things our dedication to Christ and the Gospel must be first. We dare not compromise. “What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?”
Today we take in the whole tableau of Jesus on that dusty road. We are a bit daunted by how hard it is to walk where he walks, but strengthened by the Holy Spirit we rededicate ourselves to the path, the Way. We pray today that our feet will be firm upon that path.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture today “Christ Carries the Cross” by El Greco, 1580s
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