Welcome to our Bible Study

24th Sunday in the Ordinary Time B13 September 2015

In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgyAs aid in focusing our homilies and sharing

Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

1st reading: Isaiah 50:5-9

5 The Lord opens my ear that I may hear, and I have not rebelled, have not turned back. 6 I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; My face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. 7 The Lord GOD is my helphelp, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame. 8 He is near who upholds my right; if anyone wishes to oppose me, let us appear together. Who disputes my right? Let that man confront me. 9 See, the Lord GOD is my helphelp; who will prove me wrong?

The focus is on the help of God.

Textual Context of Is 50:5-9 (Boadt)

First Isaiah - 1-39 (Jerusalem) Second Isaiah - 40-55 (Babylon) Third Isaiah - 56-66

Second Isaiah chs. 40-55 40 Introduction to the collection of oracles 40-48 Sober in tone 49-55 More sober in tone, they abandon some characteristic themes of earlier chapters such as polemics against idolatry and disputes with the Babylonians. Latter chapters show a strong interest in Zion.

Second Isaiah or Deutero-Isaiah

1st reading: Isaiah 50:5-9

5 The Lord opens my ear that I may hear, and I have not rebelled, have not turned back. 6 I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; My face I did not shield from buffets and spitting.

Commentary The passage is entitled as the “song

of the suffering servant.” In v.5, the suffering servant

acknowledges God’s action in his life: God opens his ear (gives him strength and wisdom).

V.5b indicates how the servant endures persecution: I have not rebelled I have not turned back.

In v.6, he enumerates how he reacts to his persecutors: He does not run away from them. He submits himself to their cruelty.

1st reading: Isaiah 50:5-9 7 The Lord GOD is my

help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame. 8 He is near who upholds my right; if anyone wishes to oppose me, let us appear together. Who disputes my right? Let that man confront me. 9 See, the Lord GOD is my help; who will prove me wrong?

In v.7, the servant affirms God’s help. Its effects: He is not disgraced, he is not put

to shame, or, he is not devastated.

Vv.8-9 affirm God’s help (assistance and defense), when he is falsely accused.

Reflections on the 1st reading It is hard to suffer quietly without complaining. It is hard to endure persecutions without taking

vengeance. It is a challenge for us Christians to be like the

suffering servant. The suffering servant can endure without lowering

himself down to the level of his persecutors because he believes God is his help.

God vindicates and defends us, his suffering servants, if we believe that he can help us.

Responsorial Ps 116:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 R. (9) I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.

1 I love the LORD because he has heardmy voice in supplication,2 Because he has inclined his ear to methe day I called.

3 The cords of death encompassed me;the snares of the netherworld seized upon me;I fell into distress and sorrow,4 And I called upon the name of the LORD,“O LORD, save my life!”

5 Gracious is the LORD and just;yes, our God is merciful.6 The LORD keeps the little ones;I was brought low, and he saved me.

8 For he has freed my soul from death,my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.9 I shall walk before the Lordin the land of the living.

Responsorial Ps 116:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 R. (9) I will walk before the Lord, in

the land of the living.

1 I love the LORD because he has heard my voice in supplication,2 Because he has inclined his ear to me the day I called.

3 The cords of death encompassed me; the snares of the netherworld seized upon me; I fell into distress and sorrow,4 And I called upon the name of the LORD, “O LORD, save my life!”

5 Gracious is the LORD and just;yes, our God is merciful.6 The LORD keeps the little ones;I was brought low, and he saved me.

8 For he has freed my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.9 I shall walk before the Lordin the land of the living.

Commentary The psalm represents well the

feeling of a servant who triumphs over his sufferings and enemies, because of God’s help.

In vv.1-2, the psalmist expresses his love to the Lord because he has heard him in his prayers.

V.3 indicates what the psalmist has undergone (death threats, distress, sorrow).

V.4 indicates how the psalmist prayed.

In v.5, the psalmist affirms God is just and merciful.

In v.6, the psalmist affirms that God takes side with the humiliated.

In v.8, the psalmist affirms the liberating role of God.

In v.9, the psalmist makes a promise to live a righteous life, an exemplary life.

Reflection on the Psalm

We, suffering Christians, can appropriate the psalm. It is a prayer of thanksgiving after enduring

sufferings, with God’s help. In this prayer, we affirm God’s goodness and saving

power. God rescues us from death and raises us from

ashes and humiliations.

2nd reading: James 2:14-18

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well," but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? 17 So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 Indeed someone might say, "You have faith and I have works." Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.

The focus is on faith and works.

Textual Context of James 2:14-18DIVISION ACCORDING TO CONTENTS (TOPICS): (R. Brown)

1:1: Greetings (Opening Formula) 1:2-18: The role of trials and temptations 1:19-27: Words and deeds 2:1-9: Partiality toward the rich 2:10-13: Keeping the whole Law 2:14-26: Faith and works 3:1-12: Power of the tongue 3:13-18: Wisdom from above 4:1-10: Desires as the cause of division 4: 11-12: Judging one another as judging the Law 4:13-17: Further arrogant behaviour 5:1-6: Warning to the rich 5:7-11: Patience till the coming of the Lord 5:12-20: Admonitions on behaviour within the community

2nd reading: James 2:14-18 14 What good is it, my brothers,

if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well," but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? 17 So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 Indeed someone might say, "You have faith and I have works." Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.

Commentary This is the most famous part of

James’ Letter. Faith and works go together. Faith without works is dead

(useless). It is totally irrelevant. Work here means giving justice to

the poor, sensitivity to their needs. V.15

Faith to be alive does not leave the poor behind. V.16

Faith must be accompanied with charity. V.17

James exhorts us to show our faith in actions. V.18

Reflections on the 2nd reading

Faith is not just an intellectual assent on the existence of God.

Faith has a social dimension. It is not directed only to God, but also to our neighbors, especially the poor.

Our faith, if it is to be a true faith, has to be keen on the needs of the poor.

Faith is commitment to give justice to the oppressed. Faith is not a wishy washy thing. It leads you to social

responsibility.

Gospel reading: Mark 8:27-35 27 Now Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea

Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?“ 28 They said in reply, "John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.“ 29 And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said to him in reply, "You are the Messiah.“ 30 Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him. 31 He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. 32 He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.“ 34 He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 35 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.

The focus is on the identity of Jesus.

Gospel reading: Mark 8:27-35What people say about Jesus 27 Now Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi.

Along the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?“ 28 They said in reply, "John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.“

What the apostles say about Jesus 29 And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said to him in

reply, "You are the Messiah.“ 1st prediction of his passion, death and resurrection 30 Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him. 31 He began to

teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. 32 He spoke this openly.

Peter’s objection Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 At this he turned

around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.“

Cost of Discipleship 34 He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, "Whoever

wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 35 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.

Textual Context of Mark 8:27-35Part I The Mystery of the Messiah: Revelation of Jesus' Person (1,14--8,30)Three sections, each beginning with a summary of the activity of Jesus and a narrative

concerning the disciples and concluding with the adoption of an attitude in regard to Jesus.

A. Jesus and the Crowds 1,14--3,6 (1,14f, 16-20; 3,60)B. Jesus and his Own 3,7--6,6a (3,7-12.13-19; 6,1-6a)C. Jesus, the Disciples and the Gentiles 6,6b- 8,30 (6,6b; 6,7-31; 8,27-30)

Conclusion and Transition 8,27-33 Confession of Peter First Prophecy of the Passion Correction of Peter

Part II The Mystery of the Son of Man: Revelation of Jesus' sufferings 8,31-16,8A. The Way of the Son of Man 8,31--10,52 Indicated by 3 announcements of the fate of the Son of Man and 3 instructions on the lot of the disciples.B. Jesus in Jerusalem 11,1--13,37C. Passion and Resurrection 14,1--16,8 The Later Ending 16,9-20

Confession of Peter

Gospel reading: Mark 8:27-35 27 Now Jesus and his

disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?“ 28 They said in reply, "John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.“ 29 And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said to him in reply, "You are the Messiah.“ 30 Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.

Commentary V.27 indicates where Jesus and

companions are going: Villages of Caesarea Philippi (in the

North, at the foot of Mt. Hermon). In v.27b, Jesus asks his disciples who

he is according to the people. In v.28, the disciples reply:

He is John the Baptist Elijah One of the prophets

In v.29, Jesus asks his disciples their own opinion about him.

In v.29b, Peter answers (in behalf of the apostles): You are the Messiah (= Christ).

In v.30, Jesus asks them to keep it among themselves only. (to keep it secret, why?)

Gospel reading: Mark 8,27-35

31 He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. 32 He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.“

In v.31, Jesus predicts what will happen to himself: Must suffer Be rejected Be killed Must rise after three days.

V.32 gives a short note about this information. It is not a secret.

V.32b indicates that Peter cannot accept this and tries to prevent Jesus from proceeding to Jerusalem.

In v.33, Jesus reacts to Peter. He calls him Satan.

Peter has not changed his way of thinking, still thinking like humans, not like God.

Gospel reading: Mark 8:27-35

34 He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 35 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.

In v.34, Jesus faces other people (crowd) with the disciples, to address about discipleship.

In.35, Jesus indicates the importance of following him and the gospel, over self-preservation.

Commentary, con’t

The text is at the center of Mark’s gospel, the turning point of his gospel.

It deals with the identity of Jesus. Mis-identifying him can have undesirable effects,

may lead to different conclusions, expectations and theology.

It is Jesus himself who takes the initiative to ask: People’s answers: not correct, inaccurate Peter’s answer: correct

Yet, Peter’s correct answer does not lead him to the correct conclusions yet.

As of this moment, he understands the messiahship of Jesus differently.

Jesus clarifies what kind of Messiah he is. He is not the one whom they expect (political Messiah,

triumphal). Acceptance of him as the suffering Messiah (suffering

servant) will lead his disciples to accept also their own sufferings as a result of following him.

To know Jesus’ identity is to continue listening to him and journeying with him. Until when?

The whole gospel of Mark will tell us the story of Jesus till his crucifixion and our own.

Reflections on the gospel reading

We must know who Jesus really is. Our poor knowledge of him will lead us to poor

actions. The basic source of our knowledge of him are the

gospels. The apostles through Peter got him right because they

were journeying with him all the time since they were called.

Jesus challenged them to join and risk their lives also in Jerusalem. There, they would come to know him more. His whole picture would be unfolded.

The apostles’ destiny, too, will be revealed. True disciples of the Lord will suffer the same fate, but

will have the same reward.

Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm

The first reading focuses on the help of God. The psalm affirms God’s help in times of trouble. The second reading focuses on faith and works. The gospel reading focuses on the identity of Jesus.

Well, we should concentrate on the identity of Jesus. This will dictate how we live as his disciples.

How to develop your homily or sharing

Begin by sharing the one you know best (maybe your friend or your idol). You don’t have to mention his/her name.

Then, share how you have come to know him/her very well. (through constant communications, visits, recollections, parties, listening to other people who knows about him/her, allowing him/her to reveal his/her past, etc., giving him/her freedom and to be himself/herself = real friendship).

As a result of a right knowledge, you come to love / treasure the person more. You can represent him/her more. You are in a better position to explain his/her position, if needed. You can be committed to that person more.

Do you know Jesus? How much do you know him? How did you come to know him?

Relate your own experience as a pastor. I come to know more about Jesus: when I prepare my homily, when I read and meditate on the

gospel texts, when I review my theology. when I listen to people share their own experience about him, how

he touched their lives. when I go to the poor and mix with them. when I journey and dialogue with great theologians (through their

books and writings, listening to their talks when they come) and take seriously my on-going formation.

when I willingly accept inconveniences, sufferings, persecutions, hazards in my profession…

when I pray when I am with my colleagues

Now challenge the people to know Jesus more: Encourage them to join regular bible studies. Encourage them to study theology. Encourage them to demand from the assigned

priests and brothers to give them inputs on Jesus. Encourage them to prepare ahead of time the

readings for the mass. Ask the church organizations, parochial and

trans-parochial, to be Christ-centered, to be guided by those who know more about Jesus.

Christians should be well-educated in their faith, not just “practitioners” of faith which they don’t understand at all.

We don’t want Christians to be ignorant in their faith. These people will make us do what is unnecessary in the church.

Our Christian communities should not allow themselves to be led by people who don’t attend seminars and on-going formation, who don’t read articles on faith.

The Christian community will be able to know Jesus more when they journey with Jesus in his mission and in his crucifixion.

The eucharist is the center of our Christian lives. When we say Amen at communion, we are

accepting our responsibility to know him more. In the eucharist, we want to show that we are

responsible to lesser brothers and sisters, through concrete actions in our community.

The eucharist strengthens us in our struggle to follow Jesus and die with him at Calvary.

Our Context of Sin and Grace

Irrelevant faith Dichotomized faith Pietism, no commitment More on beautifications,

externals, less on fraternity

Engaged faith Committed Christians Social action Learned Christians Evangelized Christians Willing to suffer and die

Suggested Songs

Glory to God (Cielo/Chito)

http://youtu.be/lmTlVfELBeo Follow Christ by Sebastian Temple Kristo I love the Lord by Manoling Francisco