Readings for Thursday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 James 2:1-9
In these verses the author warns the Christian community not to discriminate or to show favoritism based upon social status. This kind of behavior, we are told, violates God’s law and is an affront to all the Lord Jesus stands for. St. James uses the “Royal Law” referring perhaps to the Great Commandment, to support this instruction and concludes that to show partiality is sinful.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
This song of thanksgiving places emphasis on God’s mercy and compassion. The Lord in his faithful love always hears those who call to him for help and salvation.
Gospel Mark 8:27-33
This selection from St. Mark’s Gospel is pivotal for the original audience. Up to this point in Jesus public ministry he has been thought of by those who meet him as a prophet and teacher – a Holy Man. That changes as St. Peter identifies him as “Christ” the Messiah. After silencing them (his closest friends) Jesus, using the title “Son of Man” (see Daniel 7:13-14), foresees his trials and passion. This frightens the disciples and probably confuses many of the entourage (remember, there were more than just the 12 following Jesus around) and Peter confronts him asking him to take a different approach to what he tells his students. Seeing this request as an invitation to take a different path, Jesus rebukes Peter.
Homily:
“Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.”
This is where St. Peter takes on the role of a campaign advisor. He wants Jesus to sugar-coat the message so it is easier for the masses to follow. The exchange may have gone something like;
Peter: “Teacher, don’t tell them you are going be punished – they think people who get punished have sinned. You’re going to loose them. You need to tell them you are going to free the captives – you know, use the predictions in Scripture that talk about what the Messiah is coming to do and they will follow you to the ends of the earth. As it is you’re scaring them.”
Jesus: “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” (The subtext might have been “You don’t understand, I am not the kind of Messiah they expect. You want me to take up a royal crown and what worries me is, I could do that, avoiding what I know is to come.”)
Over the top of that exchange we are given the reminder from the Letter of St. James. The Lord did not come in purple robes to make it easier for the status quo to be a happier place (i.e. the rich get richer and the poor get poorer), he came so that all might have hope, especially the poor, because their lot in life gives them little of that. How could Jesus bring that message to the poor if he himself assumed the place of great honor in the secular world? That was offered to him in the desert when he was shown all the kingdoms of the world and offered kingship over them by the devil.
The lesson we take away from scripture today is clear, we too must have compassion for those who have less that we. We are called to be a people of consolation following the commandment to “Love one another.” When we are offered an easier path, a more comfortable path; the offer probably comes, however innocently made, from the one who would have us fall.
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible
Commentary:
Reading 1 James 2:1-9
In these verses the author warns the Christian community not to discriminate or to show favoritism based upon social status. This kind of behavior, we are told, violates God’s law and is an affront to all the Lord Jesus stands for. St. James uses the “Royal Law” referring perhaps to the Great Commandment, to support this instruction and concludes that to show partiality is sinful.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
This song of thanksgiving places emphasis on God’s mercy and compassion. The Lord in his faithful love always hears those who call to him for help and salvation.
Gospel Mark 8:27-33
This selection from St. Mark’s Gospel is pivotal for the original audience. Up to this point in Jesus public ministry he has been thought of by those who meet him as a prophet and teacher – a Holy Man. That changes as St. Peter identifies him as “Christ” the Messiah. After silencing them (his closest friends) Jesus, using the title “Son of Man” (see Daniel 7:13-14), foresees his trials and passion. This frightens the disciples and probably confuses many of the entourage (remember, there were more than just the 12 following Jesus around) and Peter confronts him asking him to take a different approach to what he tells his students. Seeing this request as an invitation to take a different path, Jesus rebukes Peter.
Homily:
“Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.”
This is where St. Peter takes on the role of a campaign advisor. He wants Jesus to sugar-coat the message so it is easier for the masses to follow. The exchange may have gone something like;
Peter: “Teacher, don’t tell them you are going be punished – they think people who get punished have sinned. You’re going to loose them. You need to tell them you are going to free the captives – you know, use the predictions in Scripture that talk about what the Messiah is coming to do and they will follow you to the ends of the earth. As it is you’re scaring them.”
Jesus: “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” (The subtext might have been “You don’t understand, I am not the kind of Messiah they expect. You want me to take up a royal crown and what worries me is, I could do that, avoiding what I know is to come.”)
Over the top of that exchange we are given the reminder from the Letter of St. James. The Lord did not come in purple robes to make it easier for the status quo to be a happier place (i.e. the rich get richer and the poor get poorer), he came so that all might have hope, especially the poor, because their lot in life gives them little of that. How could Jesus bring that message to the poor if he himself assumed the place of great honor in the secular world? That was offered to him in the desert when he was shown all the kingdoms of the world and offered kingship over them by the devil.
The lesson we take away from scripture today is clear, we too must have compassion for those who have less that we. We are called to be a people of consolation following the commandment to “Love one another.” When we are offered an easier path, a more comfortable path; the offer probably comes, however innocently made, from the one who would have us fall.
Pax
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture today is “Landscape with Christ and St. Peter” by Goffredo Wals, c. 1616
[1] After Links to Readings Expire
[2] The picture today is “Landscape with Christ and St. Peter” by Goffredo Wals, c. 1616
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