Who Will They Say That I Am?

Homily for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Introduction

Today’s readings teach us the difficult requirements of discipleship. We learn that being a disciple (following Jesus) requires denying ourselves and following the Lord’s way.

Today’s readings also remind us that we can rely on the Lord for the strength we need to navigate the journey through our faith and works.

Open Our Ears to Hear

Our First Reading (from the prophet Isaiah) begins with the words, “The Lord God opens my ear that I may hear.” That’s a great cue to listen — to be prepared for an important message.

The biblical authors use various techniques to get us to listen, pay attention, and learn. One common example is the word “Behold.”

During my deacon formation, the priest who taught the Synoptic Gospels class taught that whenever we read or hear the word “Behold” in scripture, be prepared to listen; something special is about to occur.

Think about the Angel Gabriel who announces to the Virgin Mary, “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,” and “Behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age.”

Remember Mary’s response: “Behold, I am a handmaiden of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

There are many other times the word Behold is used in the Bible to draw your attention to an important lesson.

Another way the biblical writers draw us in is whenever Jesus asks questions.

Think about it: Jesus doesn’t need to ask questions; he already knows everything. He does not have to ask questions of people. But he does — not for his benefit, but as a teaching tool for others. We witness this in today’s Gospel.

Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” The disciples reply: John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the other prophets.

Jesus asked the first question to set up his second question. This was a setup for the real purpose of this conversation.

Jesus asks his disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter speaks up and correctly replies “You are the Christ,” the Messiah, the promised Savior.

With their ears wide open and ready to learn, Jesus begins to teach his disciples what it means to be a true follower of Christ—to be betrayed, to suffer greatly, to be rejected, to be put to death, and to rise in three days.

These difficult sayings were like a gut punch to the apostles. The divine plan for Jesus greatly disturbs Peter, which leads to an argument between Jesus and Peter.

We hear that Satan was using Peter’s well-intended concern for Jesus to try to sway him to reject God’s will. Peter is not thinking like a disciple — but like the uneducated crowds.

Jesus teaches his disciples (including all of us) that “Whoever wishes to come after [him] must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow [him].”

We learn that discipleship can be a difficult world.

Faith and Works

We also learned in today’s readings that discipleship requires a balance of both faith and works.

There is an important connection between today’s Gospel message and today’s Second Reading in which Saint James stresses the importance of both faith and works and that living our faith can lead to inconvenience and usually great effort. He uses the image of a poor person without food to eat or clothing to wear to demonstrate his case.

We know that good wishes and prayers alone (“Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well”) are not a sufficient response to a person in need. If we only have faith and not works, or if we only have work and not faith, we will not be living as true disciples. Pope Francis puts it this way when he talks about prayer (the faith part of this equation). Francis says:

You pray for the hungry, then you feed them. That’s how prayer works

Discipleship (the call to follow Jesus) demands a generous response. Mere words, thoughts, and prayers are not enough.

Another lesson about discipleship: People notice when our works do not reflect our faith, or our faith does not reflect our works.

For example: Mahatma Gandhi (a Hindu whose philosophy of non-violence inspired civil rights leaders from around the world) was once asked how he felt about the Christian faith. He replied:

“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

Ouch! We need to do better! We need to focus on how we represent Christ.

Who Will They Say That I Am?

Several years ago, a parishioner (the late Judy Combs) approached me and asked me to compose a theme song for an ACTS retreat she was supporting. The theme of the retreat was based on a passage from today’s Gospel (“Who do they say that I am?”).

At first, I wasn’t very excited about writing a song. But if you knew Judy, you know that she was persistent and persuasive.

Judy wasn’t the kind of person who would follow up with a cordial “How is the song coming along?” She was more assertive and direct, asking “When will I see the first draft?” and “You know, that song won’t write itself.”

So, with Judy’s encouragement, I wrote a simple little song in 3/4 time to help guide the retreatants and team members to reflect on the topic of discipleship.

The Chorus of the song is the voice of Jesus, challenging his disciples (you and I) to be “good Christians” whose faith and works help others know God. The Chorus is this:

When people hear your voice; when they see the works of your hands, will they know my name. Who will they say that I am? Who will they say that I am?

Or, to put it another way, do the things we say and do reflect God’s mercy and love in our life?

There are a couple of verses to the song to provide an insight into what a Christ-centered life looks like — to help gauge our progress. Again, Jesus asks questions:

• Will they know kindness can help to cure blindness in hearts that yearn to be free? Will you give witness, proclaiming the goodness of God?
• Will they be willing to lose what is filling their lives that keeps us apart? Will you show mercy can quench all those thirsting for love?
• Will they know their Savior? Will they see God’s face in you? Will they know I love them in all that they think, all that they do?
• When they hear your voice, when they see the works of your hands, will they know my name? Who will they say that I am? Who will they say that I am?

Call to Action

You might want to take some time this week to reflect on how faith and works support your discipleship. You can use the words of Judy’s song as a guide. This homily (and the song lyrics) are posted on my website: deacondan.com

As we prepare to receive Christ in the Eucharist today, let us allow Christ’s Body and Blood to strengthen and fortify us in our discipleship—to be what God wills us to be.