Theme: Do not judge people on the merits of this world. They may be rich in faith.
Scripture: Jas. 2:1-9; Ps. 33:2-7; Mk. 8:27-33
We listened to Peter’s confession in today’s Gospel text. Peter’s confession is considered to be the turning point in the Gospel of Mark. Peter’s confession reveals that the disciples are now begin to understand the mission of Jesus in the world. Until now, Jesus was moving around Galilee but with Peter’s confession, Jesus would start his journey towards Jerusalem, the place of his execution. Jesus would talk on his way to Jerusalem intensively with his disciples about His suffering as the plan of God.
We have heard that the disciples were not able to understand Jesus inspite of his teachings and miracles. People called Jesus as John the Baptist and Elijah. However, Peter like the blind man at Bethsaida slowly began to see Jesus as the Messiah. Peter called Jesus the Messiah but he did not comprehend the meaning of it. He had a different notion of messiahship. He wanted Jesus to the political messiah. Jesus revealed his disciples on the way to Jerusalem three times that he had to suffer and die (Mk 8:31; 9:31 and 10:33-34). Jesus’ true identity was the suffering messiah. Peter’s recognition of Jesus as the messiah had different idea. Jesus was the richest and most powerful because He was one with His Father. Jesus had complete faith in His Father. Peter failed to understand that Jesus’ richness and power because he tried to judge on the worldly merits.
St. James while writing to his people makes them aware that we may have a tendency to treat others according to our merits. Our merits are based on the standards of the world such as richness and power in the material world. Nobody sees the richness of faith. God does not make any distinction on the merits of this world. He sees everyone with equality. St. James makes us aware that the love of our neighbour should not have any distinction. If we treat people according to their standard, then we are partial. St. Peter did the same with Jesus when he realized Jesus was talking about the suffering and death because for him, Jesus should have become the political messiah.
Jesus treated all his disciples with equality. His yardstick of judgement was love. Jesus continued to love Peter. As a result, Peter was transformed. He too gave his life for the Lord. St. James being the disciple of the Lord had grasped Lord’s teaching therefore he exhorted his people to do the same. May this Eucharistic celebration help us to treat everyone with love without falling into sin of judging them on the merits of this world.
Fr. Alex D’Mello
