High and Low Marks
Jesus 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. 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.”
24th SUNDAY Ordinary Time Cycle B
Many students in the Philippines are still aiming for high marks rather than learning. In countries like Japan, they stopped giving grades to their pupils from the start. Their system of education inculcates values more than information. Thus, their young clean their own school without janitors. Maybe that is why educated Pinoys leave trash anywhere that unschooled street cleaners pick up.
In Jesus’ time, among the twelve each apostle was eager to get high appraisals all the time from their master. In today’s gospel episode, however, Peter got both low and high ratings almost at the same time.
When Jesus asked, “Who am I to you?” Peter correctly responded, “You are the Christ.” Jesus recommended him for such a wise answer. Yet when Jesus revealed that He would soon have to suffer, die, and be buried in Jerusalem, Peter objected. For this he got the lowest rating from the Lord who called him “Satan” for not thinking like God.
For God the Messiah has to suffer if ever He has to save humankind. There is no other way than the cross – the other way is the way of the devil. Remember in the desert Satan tempted Jesus away from suffering hunger by offering bread. And at the cross, again Satan would tempt Jesus away from suffering through the people who mocked him saying “step down from the cross and we would believe you”.
Isaiah in the first reading called the Messiah as the suffering servant. Not only one who serves but also one who suffers – or one who serves in suffering. Is 50:5-9a
James in his letter says faith without works in useless. Believing is proven when one serves, when one suffers. Jas 2:14-18
Disclaimer: This section of the website is a personal creative writing of the author and does not necessarily reflect the official views, opinion, or policies of the Salesians of Don Bosco – Philippines South Province. For concerns on the content, style, and grammar of this piece, please contact us.
