Readings: James 2:1-9, Mark 8:27-33
St. Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ, but “the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes” reject him. Would we have recognized and welcomed the Christ when he came? Let us consider: Do we show partiality for or against others based on their popularity or prominence?
Would we have received Jesus’ challenging teachings? All the prophets were persecuted for sharing truths people refused to hear. How do we respond when someone critiques or challenges us?
Jesus was poor and perhaps wore “shabby clothes.” Do we have any friends who are poor?
As Dorothy Day said, “We love God as much as the one we love the least.” If we want to know whether we would have recognized and welcomed the Christ we should consider whether we receive and love him now, for Jesus says, “whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25)
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