Thursday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Jesus has some strong words for Peter in today’s gospel reading (Mark 8: 27-33): “Get behind me Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” Here is Peter, the one Jesus named “Rock”, being rebuked by Jesus. So, what brought this on? Well, apparently even though Peter was the first disciple to outwardly identify Jesus as the Messiah, the “Christ”, he did not yet understand that this would entail suffering and even death for Jesus. The gospel tells us that Peter first rebuked Jesus when he told the disciples that he must suffer greatly, be rejected, be killed, and then rise. Peter didn’t like what he heard and in a sense, played the role of Satan by suggesting that Jesus should be the political liberator that was popularly expected of the awaited Messiah at that time.
This wasn’t how Peter thought it would be and surely didn’t want it to be as he and the other disciples were likely growing closer and closer to Jesus. But, as Jesus made clear, he was thinking as human beings do, not as God does; whereas Jesus was choosing to do God’s will, no matter how difficult and unpopular that may be.
Similarly, in the first reading (James 2: 1-9), we are reminded that unlike the popular and rather human inclination to show partiality to the rich, as followers of Christ, we are to show no partiality. In fact, if there is any partiality, it should be for the poor. “Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom…?”
In our society, we certainly show a preference for the rich, the famous, the physically beautiful. We don’t really want to associate with the poor, the unattractive, the unpopular. The author of James’ letter points out that if we fulfill the Scriptural law, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” we are doing well, but if we show partiality, we commit sin. Hence the question, “who is my neighbor?” Is it just the people that live near me (and how well do I know them anyhow?) or does it include the people I work with, go to church with (even if I don’t know their name)? What about the people that live in other parts of the city that I’m not comfortable venturing into? What about people who don’t speak my language? What about people who live in developing countries or where we have been at war? Who is my neighbor?
We are called to think as God does, not as human beings do. Perhaps not an easy task given that we ARE human beings. Thankfully, we have Jesus’ example and words, and the Holy Spirit to guide us.
Today’s psalm (34) reiterates the message, “The Lord hears the cry of the poor.” May we too hear the cry of the poor over the praises sung for the rich.
- Eileen Miller