Friars Corner: Don’t leave Jesus because of Judas
Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR
Isaiah 50:4-9; Psalms 116:1-6, 8-9; James 2:14-18; Mark 8:27-35
As I pray and read over the weekend Mass readings, certain lines stand out to me. Holy Spirit what is your message that I am to share? We are now halfway through St. Mark’s gospel. The “students,” disciples or Jesus, traveled with him watching him heal countless people, drive out demons and teach the people.
This week, Jesus stopped and asked them a good question. “Who do people say that I am?’ Their several answers were not correct. Jesus then got very direct, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answers for the group, as he often does, “You are the Christ,” the savior who is to come. In Mark, Jesus often told them early on not to tell anyone. The turning point now is when Jesus began to tell them his mission would end in rejection and suffering, quoting the Suffering Servant prophecies in Isaiah in the first reading today. They didn’t understand because they couldn’t see into the future work of saving the human race.
Are we to keep silent?
Where are you and I today almost two thousand years later? Are we to keep silent about Jesus and his work of teaching and healing? I think we need to ask Jesus to deepen our faith in this crisis in the church now. We need to set aside more time for prayer, reading the gospel stories, Acts of the Apostles and getting to more frequently daily Mass. Jesus continues to multiply the bread for us. Jesus is that special bread come down from heaven. “O Come, let us adore him.” Can we accept his offer and come to receive him and more of his divine power?
As we get filled up more with Jesus and understand his mission, we are filled with courage and boldness to put our faith into action. The second reading from James tells us today, faith and works go together.
Put distractions aside
There are many worldly distractions today. Let us put the major ones aside. Let us not get angry and leave Jesus and his church because of the sins of some. There are many wonderful and holy priests out there lovingly caring for the parish family assigned to them for a while. Like the disciples, let us not leave Jesus because of Judas. We can pray for the offenders and those they have abused.
Let us keep our eyes and hearts focused on Jesus, as in Hebrews 12:1-2. Let us be joyful and positive. Let us look in the mirror at ourselves and our own sins. Let us ask forgiveness and more power to do good in building up our parish and church.
Dear Holy Spirit, please give us the graces to focus on Jesus and do positive good things to help build up the “body of Christ,” and help save humanity around us. I want to stay as close to Jesus as the bark is to a tree. Amen! Have a blessed week every closer to Jesus.
Peace and all good,
(© 2018 Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR)
