24B, SUNDAY HOMILY, MARK 8:27-35, SEPTEMBER 15, 2024
1. STORY
One day while on
vacation, I went to pick up my father at his workplace. I got there a bit early and so had a chance to
speak to the guard at the gate. He spoke
freely about the difficulties of his job often using vulgar words. Suddenly he stopped and asked me if I was
waiting for Mr. Vincent. I said
yes. Then he asked me if I was his son. Again,
I said yes. Finally, he asked me if I
was his son who was the priest. Again, I
said yes. His face turned red. He was embarrassed having used vulgar words in
my presence. He did not know who I was. The people did not know who Jesus was.
2. GOSPEL, MARK
8:27-35
A. “WHO DO PEOPLE
SAY THAT I AM?”
Jesus asked his disciples who people thought he was. Most did not know. It was only Peter who knew that he was the Christ.
B. JESUS TAUGHT
THE DISCIPLES THAT HE MUST SUFFER
Jesus taught them
that he must suffer and die and after three days he would rise. They were shocked at this news. Peter reacted strongly against this news. Jesus had to correct him.
3. APPLICATION TO
LIFE
A. WE KNOW WHO
JESUS IS
We are blessed
knowing who Jesus is.
i) Jesus is our
SAVIOR who makes it possible for us to enjoy eternal life. Only he was able to open the gates of heaven
for us to enter.
ii) Jesus is our
TEACHER. He teaches us about God’s love
for us, how to live as adopted children of our heavenly father, and the
difference between right and wrong.
iii) Jesus is our DOCTOR. He heals our wounds caused by our sins through the sacrament of confession. He gives us the medicines to resist the many temptations in the world through the sacrament of the Eucharist.
B. JEUS TEACHES
US THAT WE MUST SUFFER
Jesus tells us we
must carry our cross. One way we can do
this is by helping others as Jesus did. Here
are three suggestions as how to do this.
i) We must be
willing to give some of our TIME to help others. Just by listening to others, we help them. We also get to know their difficulties and how
it might be possible to solve their problems. We tell them of the importance to pray and
that God will give them the strength to carry their crosses. We tell them of the importance of being
persevering and not giving up. Jesus is
always with them.
4. CONCLUSION
The guard at the
factory did not know I was a priest. The
people did not know who Jesus was. Only
Peter knew Jesus was the Christ, our savior. We are blessed knowing that Jesus is our
savior, our teacher, and our doctor. We
carry our cross by helping others by giving those in need our time, by
listening to them, and by comforting them.
