Scripture Study for
Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 50:5–9a / Psalm 116:9 / James 2:14–18 / Mark 8:27–35
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Understanding the Word
By Dianne Bergant, C.S.A.
The opening verse of the passage from Isaiah sets the stage for what follows: “My ears are open!” Hearing is an ability that is most intimate. The ear catches the sound and carries it into the very core of the person. Because of its importance, openness to sound carries the symbolic meaning of openness before God. At the outset, the speaker acknowledges that his ears are open to hear, but it is God who opened them. In other words, though he stands ready to accept God’s will in his life, the readiness itself comes from God. The speaker takes credit for nothing; he is totally dependent on God.
The Letter of James addresses a misunderstanding that has arisen in the church regarding the nature of true faith. Some were satisfied with correct belief expressed in orthodox doctrine. James insists that genuine faith must be practical, expressed in action. Furthermore, it must manifest itself in more than acts of authentic worship. While the issue here is certainly ethical, it pertains to our salvation as well: What kind of faith will save? James’ opponents, whether real or imaginary, wanted to separate faith and good works. James insists that such a separation is impossible.
Jesus asks the disciples what people are saying about him. The question is not self-serving. It seeks to discover how Jesus’ words and actions are under stood, and it prepares the disciples for their own assessment of him. The people believe that Jesus is a prophetic figure who has come back from the dead. Peter speaks in the name of the others when he proclaims that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the anointed one of God. Hearing this, Jesus states that he will be a messiah in the tradition of the Son of Man, the enigmatic figure who will come on the clouds at the end of this age. Jesus then bluntly announces that he will be rejected, will suffer and die, but will rise again.