Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Title

What Is Faith?

Outline

As we go out into the world we are confronted with the question of the nature of faith

There are those who argue that faith is the contrary to reason, that is, that faith is believing something without evidence and without rational basis. One may not believe because something is absurd, but it is not faith if it is not at least non-rational

There are also those who argue that faith is entirely internal, it does not necessarily change how one lives. So I may have faith that some green Martians are pushing buttons that send rays that influence our universe and that may give me comfort because I think that they are more loving and less crazy than humans, but it may not change my behavior at all.

Neither of these have looked at the use of the Greek term for faith

There is believing “that” which indicates commitment to a fact with or without evidence - we believe that Jesus is Lord but have not personally heard the divine voice declaring it, although we have evidence in Scripture and in the events narrated by Scripture that his Lordship is the case.

There is the believing “in” someone - I will not go into the alternative Greek constructions that are possible - which means trusting someone, committing to someone, or giving one’s allegiance to someone.

It is this latter type of faith that is primary in the New Testament, although it may be because one has come to believe “that,” e.g. that Jesus is Lord and Messiah

Now let us look at our readings:

James argues that commitment to Jesus must, by its very nature, show itself in works: “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?” In other words, if we have allegiance to Jesus, we must follow his teaching, and his teaching is not just to believe that God cares for the poor, but that we should care for the poor - so no care for the poor and one does not really have allegiance to Jesus. That type of faith is dead, lifeless, useless. It actually does not rise to the level of the “faith” of demons.

Jesus asks “Who do you believe that I am?” Peter comes up with the answer, “You are the Messiah.” But the Messiah was king and therefore should receive total allegiance.

Jesus then narrates what will happen to him which implies that those with allegiance to him will follow him into the situation.

Peter, rather than treating Jesus as the authority to whom he was committed, treats Jesus as wrong about the Messianic mission - no true allegiance or submission there.

Jesus calls him, “Satan” - the rebel - he is placing his idea of Messiahship on Jesus rather than struggling with Jesus’ instruction on the Messianic mission. Peter is not treating Jesus as “the Son of the Living God.”

Jesus concludes by calling all the disciples to follow him in his Messiahship: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.”

Sisters, I suspect that in one way or another you already know this, but perhaps I have given you a new way of thinking and talking about it

Our Protestant friends, especially the evangelicals, often think about faith as “believing that” and declaring that to God, but it does not mean changing behavior to conform to the teaching of Jesus

Our more secular friends often think of faith as non-rational and internal, a state of mind, rather than an allegiance to a person.

If we can get them to grasp the reality of faith, then Scriptures such as these will make sense to them, and, perhaps, they will really give their allegiance to Jesus on the basis of seeing that the Scriptures - and of course the Fathers - speak truly rational and consistent truth.

Readings

Catholic Daily Readings 9-12-2021: Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

FIRST READING

Isaiah 50:5–9a

5 The Lord GOD opened my ear;

I did not refuse,

did not turn away.

6 I gave my back to those who beat me,

my cheeks to those who tore out my beard;

My face I did not hide

from insults and spitting.

7 The Lord GOD is my help,

therefore I am not disgraced;

Therefore I have set my face like flint,

knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

8 He who declares my innocence is near.

Who will oppose me?

Let us appear together.

Who will dispute my right?

Let them confront me.

9 See, the Lord GOD is my help;

who will declare me guilty?

See, they will all wear out like a garment,

consumed by moths.

Catholic Daily Readings 9-12-2021: Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

RESPONSE

Option A

Psalm 116:9

9 I shall walk before the LORD

in the land of the living.

OR

Option B

Text

PSALM

Psalm 116:1–6, 8–9

1 I love the LORD, who listened

to my voice in supplication,

2 Who turned an ear to me

on the day I called.

3 I was caught by the cords of death;

the snares of Sheol had seized me;

I felt agony and dread.

4 Then I called on the name of the LORD,

“O LORD, save my life!”

5 Gracious is the LORD and righteous;

yes, our God is merciful.

6 The LORD protects the simple;

I was helpless, but he saved me.

8 For my soul has been freed from death,

my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.

9 I shall walk before the LORD

in the land of the living.

Catholic Daily Readings 9-12-2021: Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

SECOND READING

James 2:14–18

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? 17 So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 Indeed someone may say, “You have faith and I have works.” Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.

Catholic Daily Readings 9-12-2021: Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Galatians 6:14

14 But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

GOSPEL

Mark 8:27–35

27 Now Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Messiah.” 30 Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.

31 He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. 32 He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

34 He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.

Notes

Catholic Daily Readings 9-12-2021: Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 | ORDINARY TIME

TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

YEAR B | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

First Reading Isaiah 50:5–9a

Response Psalm 116:9 or Text

Psalm Psalm 116:1–6, 8–9

Second Reading James 2:14–18

Gospel Acclamation Galatians 6:14

Gospel Mark 8:27–35

GREEN