There were many late nights at the seminary, and they usually produced one question with some frequency: is this what I signed up for?! This doesn’t seem like it is! Some days, it was studying for a Latin exam or quiz- it just seemed like a lot of suffering. Maybe when it came to moral theology- trying to get specific principals right. Or maybe when it was one of countless other courses or assignments- things were often difficult- and dare I say, seemed to be fraught with some amount of suffering. Was that in fact what I signed up for?
The first reading this morning comes to us from the book of the prophet Isaiah. Though many of the readings that we have had from him recently have been very positive and encouraging, this one is not so much one of those, as we hear Isaiah speaking about “not rebelling, and not turning back.” Why would this servant of God be telling us that he is not rebelling and not turning back? Well, it turns out that there are a lot of things that could potentially happen, as the prophet is speaking. He tells us how he had to give his back to those who beat him, his cheeks to those who plucked his beard, his face he did not shield from buffets and spitting. This… to be clear… doesn’t sound like the usual encouragement that comes from Isaiah as he speaks to the Israelites!
This is the point where things shift though. As much as we might be mystified as to what he was saying in the first part- he speaks to the help and aid that he received from the Lord- even in spite of these hard circumstances. He tells how God helps him- therefore he is not disgraced. He has set his face like flint- knowing he will not be put to shame. He who is near- God- upholds his right! Who will confront him? Let him confront him- because God is there- if God is indeed his help, who will prove him wrong? Isaiah is very confident in the Lord. Even in the midst of the things that would routinely shake someone’s confidence as would understandably be the case- Isaiah still knows the Lord is there to walk with him. This is why the responsorial psalm comes so powerfully to us: I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. This is not a ”may happen” or “could be possible.” David says “I will walk” so he too expresses a level of confidence that is needed to follow the Lord.
In the second reading, as we continue the letter of St. James, he actually comes up to a very interesting point that is still contended even to this day. He starts out with a simple question- if someone says he has faith but does not have works- what good is it? Can that faith save him? Now right here that would seem odd- isn’t faith supposed to save him? We have to continue on to understand what is being said. So we delve deeper into the reading: if one has nothing to wear or eat, and you say to them: go in peace, keep warm and eat well- it seems as almost thoughts or wishes. James asks a very potent question- what good is that?! So, by analogy, if faith doesn’t have works- it is truly dead! Further on, he says- someone might say they have one or the other- the reality is the one with works has both. It is impossible, in James’s view to demonstrate faith without works. The way that this may be applied in modern times is the protestant notion of “being saved.” Usually this is a public proclamation of faith. Yet, one cannot simply do that.
There must be constant work at being saved, continually demonstrating faith. We cannot just believe inside our hearts, and not with the way we act. That would be hypocritical at best, and not at all delivering what is required in a life of faith. That would be like saying we believe the weather forecast, but at the end of the day bringing a coat, an umbrella, sunscreen, and some shorts- just in case. Or not even reacting to the forecast. It is useless to live that way. What is the point of watching and saying we believe the forecast?! Thus, the simple reality is that if one has faith- true faith- then their life will be changed to conform with that faith.
Finally, we arrive at the Gospel according to Mark. Jesus and the disciples are travelling to Caesarea Philippi. As they are travelling, naturally they are conversing, and a question comes up from Jesus: who do people say that I am? It’s a broad question- but a useful one as we find out a short distance further into the Gospel. They rattle off all sorts of possibilities- John the Baptist, Elijah, still others one of the prophets. Jesus asks: who do you say that I am? Peter has the right answer- you are the Christ! Then Jesus warns them not to tell anyone.
As if to come from a different Gospel, Jesus begins to speak even more boldly about something else- He must suffer, be rejected, be killed, and rise after three days. This, Jesus speaks openly. Then Peter, however, takes Him to the side, and rebukes him. Jesus looks at Him and then says “get behind me Satan- you are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” Then, Jesus goes into something even more personal- a warning and stern reminder: whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” He who wishes to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake, and that of the Gospel will save it. This is unlike anything ever preached before. This is shocking! This is very unattractive! Imagine some of those feel-good preachers talking about this without skirting around the issue! What is Jesus saying? A true disciple will suffer for me as well- as I too am not exempt! It is intriguing because so many try to deny this. Peter did, and even Muhammad even said that Christ could not have suffered and been God’s prophet! What does this all mean, then?
First, we need to understand- Jesus chose to suffer for us. He chose to die on the cross for us. This is not an inconsequential feature of His life- but a choice that portrays love. Even the Son of God was not exempt from suffering- and my brothers and sisters- we do suffer! We experience a lot of evil. How great must our God be that He is able to even turn suffering on it’s head- and make something profoundly good come out of it! So there are two things that we see here: Jesus chose immense suffering out of love for us, and that He also did not consider Himself immune to our condition- all of the suffering and pains included. He endured all well- as Isaiah says- He has not rebelled and not turned back.
Second, we need to recall we are designed in God’s image and design. While this comes with an immense and incalculable amount and number of benefits, it also reminds us that we need to follow our Lord even in the moments we suffer. In the moments of affliction. In the moments we would rather not have to deal with- even those need us to remember that we are in the image of our Creator! If we are- how can we consider ourselves exempt from His model and example. Too often, my brothers and sisters, we treat the Passion as a cool movie by Mel Gibson, and live as if that does not make a difference. And lest you think I’m painting an unrealistic picture- when you have to suffer or endure pain- what is your first reaction? Do you get angry? Do you call someone? Do you call out in pain? Do you look for ways to get even? Remember- Jesus said “carry your cross!” Deny yourself! Don’t look for ways to get even!
Perhaps that is the third thing to pray with now- where are your crosses? Where are the things that are hard to carry? Where are the injustices? Where are the harsh truths that you and I refuse to face? Where are the things that cause you sorrow and pain? My brothers and sisters- we live in a world rank with these things! The sad thing is- most people endure these things and what happens? They become hateful. They become bitter. They resent anyone who is happy or joyful- even our faith. They live in the comments section of any social media platform, or are the people that are unpleasant to be around- or even drive around. These are the people that refuse to carry their crosses- and want to give them to others or cause them a cross as well so that they have to suffer! They live thinking everyone else is wrong. No one can help them. They distract themselves with posting about the positive aspects of their lives so that no one will see the suffering or the pain that is underneath! They live like Peter- in constant denial of the reality that is their life.
Does that sound familiar to any of us? I don’t know about you all, but I have some work to do myself. Crosses are not easy. Often we don’t even really see the value. We don’t want to carry such heavy burdens! Yet, what would happen if we just follow our Lord? What if we did carry our crosses like the Savior did? What if we didn’t try to make everything comfortable and easy- and thereby live in a world of delusion where we hurt others in the process and ultimately drive ourselves away from our Lord and God?
Perhaps we do find ourselves asking that same question I asked myself so long ago- is this what I signed up for? Yes it is. If we wish to live with our Lord- we must sacrifice and even endure self-denial for the sake of our Lord.
Where are your crosses right now, brothers and sisters? Are you going to take them up and follow Christ?
