Today’s readings invite us to reflect deeply on the nature of discipleship and what it truly means to follow Christ. They challenge us to consider how our faith is lived out in our daily lives and confront us with the reality that genuine faith cannot exist without works. At the heart of these readings, we find the call to self-denial, sacrifice, and the embracing of suffering for the sake of the Gospel.
The first reading from Isaiah is one of the Servant Songs, portraying the suffering servant who willingly endures pain, humiliation, and rejection. “I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting.” This figure of the suffering servant foreshadows Christ, who would suffer for the sake of our redemption. Yet, in the midst of this suffering, there is no despair. The servant sets his face “like flint,” firm and resolute, because he knows that the Lord God is his help, and he shall not be put to shame. This passage teaches us that in our trials and tribulations, we, too, must hold fast to the faith that God is with us, giving us strength, even when we face adversity.
In the second reading from the letter of James, we are reminded that faith is not just a matter of belief but must be demonstrated through action. James asks pointedly, “What good is it if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?” He provides a stark example: If we see someone in need and offer them only words of comfort without meeting their physical needs, what good is that? James challenges us to a faith that is alive and active—a faith that sees the suffering of others and responds with compassion and concrete help. This passage calls us to examine our own lives and consider how we live out our faith. Are we merely speaking words of faith, or are we actively living it by our deeds?
The Gospel reading from Mark brings these themes together and brings them into sharp focus. Jesus asks His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” and then more personally, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter responds, “You are the Christ.” This confession of faith is significant, yet, when Jesus begins to teach about His coming suffering, death, and resurrection, Peter rebukes Him. Peter cannot accept that the Messiah would suffer and die. In response, Jesus rebukes Peter, saying, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
Jesus’ words are a powerful reminder that discipleship is not about following our own ideas of what it means to be a follower of Christ. It is not about seeking power, comfort, or avoiding suffering. Rather, it is about embracing the way of the cross. Jesus makes it clear: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” To follow Jesus means to let go of our attachments, our desires for comfort and security, and to trust God’s plan for our lives, even when it involves suffering.
The cross is central to our faith. It is a symbol of suffering and sacrifice but also of hope and redemption. Jesus teaches that in losing our lives for His sake and for the sake of the Gospel, we will find true life. It is a paradox, but one that speaks to the very heart of Christian discipleship: true life is found not in self-preservation but in self-giving, not in comfort but in courageous love, even when it leads to the cross.
Today’s readings invite us to embrace this paradox of the cross. They call us to a faith that is more than words or pious thoughts but one that is lived out in actions of love and service. As we meditate on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How is God calling me to take up my cross today? In what ways is He inviting me to serve others, to give of myself, to stand firm in my faith, even in the face of suffering or difficulty?
May we, like the suffering servant in Isaiah, set our faces like flint, confident in the help of the Lord. May our faith be demonstrated through our works, and may we follow Christ courageously, knowing that in losing our lives for His sake, we will find true and eternal life. Amen.