In Saint Mark’s gospel, Peter comes across as being impetuous and brash. Yet in the gospel for this Sunday, Peter quickly proclaims his faith that Jesus is the Messiah.
Jesus then says that the Messiah must undergo suffering; and that suffering is intrinsic to the life of the Messiah.
Suffering is the inevitable cost that the Messiah must pay in fulfillment of his mission.
Jesus later goes on to say that his disciples must also embrace suffering for the truth; and that suffering can come from one’s own family and friends.
Suffering is not a value on its own, but suffering can be the outcome of standing one’s ground and proclaiming one’s faith and speaking the truth. Professions of faith can be a mere substitute for concrete action.
Proclamations of faith have more to do with how I act than with what I say. Remember, Jesus calls his disciples to “do faith.” Faith, in this context, is not a noun; it is a verb.
How do I do faith in my daily life? How do I proclaim faith when I find myself in a situation that involves dishonesty? Remember, faith is a verb! How do I do my faith in situations of prejudice? It is not in creeds, but it is in the doing of faith that one articulates the Church’s identity.
The challenge is not only personal, it is also institutional; it is a challenge to the Church. So often, the Church speaks boldly but then does not carry the words into action. Without action, the words of faith are simply pious platitudes. As Texans say, “big hat, no cows.” Sometimes those big hats are not only Stetsons; they can also be mitres.
Father Steve Adrian
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