24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 17, 2000

by Paul Gallagher, OFM

Mark 8: 27-35

Background

This is a turning point in Mark’s gospel. Previous to this Jesus has traveled from town to town, preaching about the Kingdom of God and healing. After this he will continue to preach and heal but his journey will be toward Jerusalem and his death. Mark describes his entry into that city in 111-11. In the chapters of Mark’s gospel that are between this text and the entry into Jerusalem Jesus will speak of his approaching rejection, suffering and death three times. Following these predictions he will also instruct his disciples on what it means to be a disciple. Among the people there was not a consistent understanding of what the Messiah would be like. Some expected a political leader, respected teacher, or great prophet. This had profound impact on how that person would understand discipleship with each.

The culture of Jesus day is much different than what most of us are familiar with in the United States. We strive to be very independent and conforming to others is designated as peer pressure and not to be given into. Other cultures that hold the opinions of family and others in greater esteem than one’s one opinion seem strange and backward to us. But this is the reality in which Jesus lived. By wandering from town to town and preaching Jesus has rejected the position that would normally be valued in his in society. Within his culture Jesus had replaced his family with his disciples. It is very important for him to have them understand his role and purpose. In this way he is counterculture. Rather than have them give him his purpose, he is asking them to accept his purpose and be in harmony with it. As a person of his culture he still needs the support of others to live out his life. His questions to them about how people understand him are not a simple off hand question to see if they really understand his teaching. It goes deeper. It also helps to appreciate the harsh rebuke Peter gets when he suggests that Jesus should avoid what Jesus understands to be at the heart of who he is, Jerusalem and the rejection and death that await him there.

Reflection Questions
1. Have you ever been totally misunderstood by people? Has a boss ever confronted you that your performance was unacceptable? How did you respond? How did it impact your sense of self worth?
2. Have you ever had to let a friend know that they had greatly disappointed you?
3. How about the people that are closest to you? Do you think that they understand you, and the things you feel strongly about and why? Is it important to you that you have people around you who do understand you?
4. Central to being a disciple of Jesus is the idea of denying yourself and taking up your cross. How do you see yourself doing this by the way you live your life? Can you think of concrete discussions you have made where this value was at least part of your decision making process?

Fr. Paul Gallagher, O.F.M.

© Copyright 1997 - 2024 Deacon Sil Galvan. All rights reserved.
Web site designed and hosted by KolbeNet