Homily (Reflection) for Thursday of
the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time (II) (20th February, 2020) on the
Gospel
Jas 2:1-9;
Ps 33:2-7. (R. v.7);
Mk 8:27-33.
Topic: Illusions about Jesus.
Jesus first asked His disciples in today’s gospel, “Who do
people say that I am?” They thought He was John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of
the prophets. He then asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter
answered, “You are the Messiah.” When Jesus foretold what was waiting for Him –
suffering, rejection, and death, Peter took Him aside and rebuked Him. However,
Jesus rebuked Peter saying, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your
mind not on divine things but on human things.”
Two illusions about Jesus Christ are apparent in today’s
gospel. First, the people were not able to recognise Jesus. Again, Peter who
declared correctly that He was the Messiah did not understand His kind of
Messiahship. Hence, when Jesus foretold what He was to undergo he rebuked Him. The
illusion about the kind of Messiah Jesus is subsisted beyond His death and
resurrection, cf. Acts 1:6. Needless
to say that it is still found today among His followers (Christians).
We know a lot about Jesus Christ. However, just like in
Peter’s case, many have not been able to grasp what these things really mean. Hence,
many illusions continue to exist. Illusions about Jesus Christ give birth to
illusions about what it means to be Christ’s follower. For instance, we tend to
forget His warnings about what awaits us, cf. Matt 10:18; Mk 13:9. However, those who sincerely follow Jesus have
nothing at stake, cf. Matt 10:39. 16:25;
Mk 8:35. 10:29-30; Lk 9:24. Let us therefore sincerely set our minds on
divine things which are incomparable, cf. 1Cor
2:9.
Bible Reading: Acts 1:6-11.
Thought for today: Where do you set your mind?
Let us pray: Lord, give us the grace to set our
minds always on divine things – Amen.
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