“[Jesus] asked His disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am? … Who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8:27-31).
12 September 2021. 24th Sunday in OT. Cycle B-2021. Isaiah 50:5-9a + James 2:14-18 + Mark 8:27-35
He was God who came down to earth manlike,
To bring man up to heaven godlike.
(cf. John 1:1, 14a; “On the Incarnation”, by Saint Athanasius).
He taught as one having authority,
The One sent by God alone could do.
(cf. Mark 1:22; Matthew 7:29; John 6:45; 13:13).
He wrought awesome miracles and wonders,
Only the Almighty God could do.
(Mark 2:12; Luke 7:16; 19:37-38; Acts 2:22; Hebrews 2:4).
He read unexpressed thoughts and fears and doubts,
The All-knowing God alone could do.
(Matthew 9:4; 12:24-25; Mark 2:8; Luke 22:48; John 4:16-19, 28-29).
He foretold the future accurately,
Only the All-Seeing God could do.
(John 13:19; 18:4; Isaiah 46:9-10).
To heal the sick, He forgave their sins,
The Merciful God alone could do.
(Psalm 65:4; Daniel 9:9; Mark 2:5-7, 9-12).
He referred to Himself the Name, I AM,
I AM WHO I AM alone was called.
(Exodus 3:13-14; John 8:24, 28, 58).
He claimed to be the Only Son of God,
His audience understood to be God.
(Matthew 26:63-66; John 1:1, 14, 18; Luke 22:67-71).
Indeed, He who was sinless, told no lies.
He said so; His apostles confirmed.
(John 8:46; 1Peter 2:22; 1John 3:5; Hebrews 4:15).
He stopped nobody from worshipping Him,
Worship accorded to God alone.
(Exodus 34:14; Isaiah 45:21b, 23b; Philippians 2:9-11; Mark 5:22; Luke 8:41).
My faith in JesusChrist®, God, is my gift,
From the Father and the HolySpirit.
(cf. John 6:44-45; 16:13; 1Corinthians 12:3).
To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary;
To one without faith, no explanation is possible.
(Saint Thomas Aquinas; Quoted in the Prologue to the 1943 film, “The Song of Bernadette”). VSS
Picture credit: Top four from the left: Pantocrator and other images, from “The Michigan Catholic, Jubilee 2000 Commemorative Issue.” Bottom from the left: Christ the King, from Fine Art America; Jesus, the Divine Mercy image commissioned by the visionary Saint Faustina Kowalska, as instructed by Jesus in one of the visions; Salvator Mundi, painted by Leonardo da Vinci; and Sacred Heart, from Catholic Pictures.
