Friends,
This week’s readings invite us to reflect on the person of Jesus Christ and the challenges and possible suffering involved in being his follower. In the first reading, from Isaiah’s third song of the Suffering Servant, we see a description of the ideal disciple. Despite intense suffering and misery, this person never loses hope and trust in the Lord.
The Psalmist, like the Suffering Servant, also calls on the Lord from the depths of his anguish and sorrow. The Lord hears and saves him. However, as James points out in the second reading, we cannot call ourselves followers of Christ if we do not do what we can to help the needy, the sick, and the poor.
In the Gospel, we are invited, like Peter, to make our profession of faith. However, proclaiming that Jesus is Christ means accepting that hardships will come our way. We may well have to take up our cross to follow him. This week, then, let us focus our prayer on all who suffer for their beliefs in the Lord and for all those who need safety, food, and shelter.
Joy and peace.
