BUT YOU… WHO DO YOU SAY I AM? YOU ARE THE CHRIST!
The readings this week invite us to reflect on the person of Jesus, the Christ, and the challenges and possible suffering involved in being his follower. In the First Reading, from Isaiah’s third song of the Suffering Servant, we see a description of the ideal disciple. Despite intense suffering and misery, this person never loses hope and trust in the Lord.
The Psalmist, like the Suffering Servant, also calls on the Lord from the depths of his anguish and sorrow. The Lord hears and saves him. However, as James points out in the Second Reading, we cannot call ourselves followers of Christ if we do not do what we can to help the needy, the sick and the poor.
When we come to the Gospel, we are invited, like Peter, to make our own profession of faith. However, proclaiming that Jesus is the Christ also means accepting that hardships will come our way. We may well have to take up our cross to follow him. This week, then, we may want to focus our prayer on all who suffer for their beliefs in the Lord, and for all those who are in need of safety, food and shelter, wherever they may be.
Source: Excerpted from the Scripture reflection courtesy of St Beuno’s Outreach in the Diocese of Wrexham, available at www.australiancatholics.com.au. Image from Liturgy Help.