Year B
Discover the deeper meaning and connections found in this week's readings, through these great commentaries written by our priests.
Explore this week's readings and hear what God is saying to us through His Word.
Find out more about how we can mark this special day in our liturgy.
See our music recommendations for the liturgy.
Introduction:
There are several interconnected themes that run through today’s readings: (a) the prophetic calling, (b) a specific vocation resulting from God’s initiative and choice of his servant/disciple, and (c) the fidelity and resilience of the one who is chosen to perform the given task.
Isaiah 50:5-9
At first glance, this passage from Isaiah could be interpreted as a capacity to ‘turn the other cheek’ when experiencing adversity. However, the text seems to call us to reflect on the vocation to discipleship and the way in which prophecy is a specific calling from God that frequently results in abuse and derision when calling for repentance and a change of heart. In doing so, the prophet is exposed to religious and civic abuse. The prophet’s task is to listen to what God is calling him/her to proclaim, and inner strength and resilience comes not from within one’s self but from the power and intervention of God - Therefore, ‘I set my face like flint’, and when confronted with adversity, both physical and mental, the Servant is vindicated through God’s interventions.
James 2: 14-18
Fidelity and perseverance in faith demand the capacity to not only proclaim one’s faith, but to take risks by alleviating the sufferings of the poor and those who are deprived of their rights in the face of religious and civic opposition.
Gospel Mark 8:27-35
Jesus, the prophet, is likened to Isaiah’s Servant and becomes the prophet of God who undergoes suffering and death in pursuit of his father’s mandate to preach to the poor the good news of God’s saving power. In doing so, Jesus comes up against religious and civic powers that see him as upsetting the status quo. Like Isaiah’s Servant Jesus takes upon himself the strength of the Father who sent him into the world.
Jesus has a word for the disciple who wishes to follow him, he says ‘if anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me.’ The path to eternal life is to let go of all things and allow the Spirit of God to direct the journey undertaken by the disciple, and then ‘the one who loses his life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.’ [for eternal life].
The Lord’s protection enfolds us like a cloak. We shelter in the shadow of his wings. When we walk in his presence, we have life; the snares of death can do us no harm.
James in the 2nd reading reminds us that our faith cannot be inward-looking. If we rely on God’s help but do nothing to help others, our faith is in vain.
Eucharistic Prayer IV which has its own Preface (p. 690 is recommended for use today. Solemn Blessing 9 (OT 1, p. 714, the Aaronic blessing) would be a good choice.
Sample intercessions:
We pray for those in the troubled places of the world. May they find strength and consolation in God’s love for them.
Lord, in your mercy — hear our prayer.
Let us pray for those who care for others in the medical profession, that their gifts and devotion will bear spiritual and well as physical fruit.
Lord, in your mercy — hear our prayer.
We remember those whose courageous witness to faith in Christ has given us an example to follow.
Lord, in your mercy — hear our prayer.
Note: These hymns have been chosen from the Laudate Hymnbook:
I am the bread of life (L629)
Lord Jesus Christ (Living Lord) (L772)
Firmly I believe and truly (L962)
Every knee shall bow (L755)
On Eagle's wings (L952)
Key
L – Laudate
Do you have questions about the liturgy and how we are called to participate in it? Explore how the Church councils, saints, and popes have answered this key question and many more.
Every movement of the Mass is rich in meaning but we can become over-familiar with it. Rediscover the Mass and explore how it relates to the Exodus story, where many of its rituals come from, and how it makes Jesus present to us today.
