You are the Christ

As I write this reflection the first drops of rain are falling from Hurricane Ida. The outer bands offer a slow preparation for the experience of the full impact. The Sunday readings for the 24th and 25th Sundays in Ordinary Time reveal Jesus’ foretelling of his passion, death and resurrection as a way to prepare the apostles for the “full impact” of what will soon take place. 

Calm before the storm (Is 50:5-9)

Amidst the preparations anxiety grips the heart with the approach of a “storm” that can range from a physical event (as with a hurricane) to life-changing news (as with a terminal diagnosis). The anticipation of what may happen tends to outweigh what is most revealing, as we read in the Book of Isaiah, “The Lord is my help, near to me. The Lord is my help.” Pouring forth from this phrase is a powerful reminder of the gift of faith and the grace of God. God is always present, near me, present to me always. God is our calm before the storm. God is our calm during the storm. God is our calm after the storm. The Lord is near and we call upon him to increase our faith, hope and love, enduring the trials, bearing the load. God is near us.

Faith & wisdom (Js 2-4)

St. James’ letter solidifies the teaching concerning the relationship between faith and works, namely our faith and the works of our faith are necessarily in union. Together these lead us to the notion of wisdom. St. Thomas Aquinas describes wisdom as “the knowledge of and judgment about divine things and the ability to judge and direct human affairs according to divine truth.” Does my faith inform my wisdom according to the truth in God and do I act accordingly? St. James delivers a “litany” of the fruits of wisdom, including peace, gentleness, compliance, full of mercy, goodness and sincerity. Am I wise in the way of God, especially during the storms of life?

Jesus’ identity (Mk 8:27-35)

Picture this scene: Jesus and his disciples are walking to the next village. Jesus asks, “Who do people say that I am?” The disciples share what they have heard about Jesus’ identity, mostly pointing to prophets of the past who have returned. Then Jesus poses a very poignant question to them, “Who do YOU say that I am?” It is a good question. After all, they have been following Jesus for a long time. What do they say? St. Peter without hesitation responds, “You are the Christ.” St. Peter and the disciples know the words of the prophets of yesterday. By the wisdom of God, seeped in faith, St. Peter proclaims Jesus’ identity.

Jesus then foretells of the coming “storm,” the rejection by the religious leaders and ultimately his death. St. Peter, not understanding, rebukes this, as Jesus rebukes him back, thwarting the temptation to avoid what is to be the most perfect sacrifice for all. St. Peter’s wisdom is lacking in comprehension, yet his faith remains intact. When the clouds of destruction are looming, and I do not fully understand the path, is my faith steady? Am I trusting in God?

Receive God (Mk 9:30-37)

Again, we hear in Chapter 9 in St. Mark’s Gospel Jesus speaking of his impending Passion. His followers lacked understanding. As the journey continued, they argue along the way about who is the greatest among them. Jesus asked what they were arguing about, as if he did not know. They remained silent. He challenged them with an invitation to humility, a surrender of oneself to a heart of servant leadership.  With the example of a little child, we know as we receive the little one, so we receive Jesus and by doing this, with knees bent in grateful and humble service, we receive God. The greatest will be last and the last shall be first. Jesus opens this path for all. He is the greatest among us, yet suffered, died and resurrected for the least … for us. May we, in the storms of our lives, surrender our minds, hands and hearts to serve others with great love, mercy, compassion and peace.

Year of St. Joseph

Courageous St. Joseph, be our model of endurance, hope and compassion as we experience the storms in our lives.  Be for us a model of peace, that in challenging times we may fully trust as you did to the providential love of God. Amen.

Dow is the director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis for the Diocese of Baton Rouge.