To read the texts click on the texts: Jas 2:14-24,26; Mk 8:34-9:1
The sayings that make up the text of today are addressed not
merely to the twelve but to the crowds. The denial of self that Jesus calls the
crowd to is an absolute requirement if one desires to follow him. The reason
for this is that as long as the self remains, following will be half-hearted
and incomplete. It will always come in the way of following. This denial thus,
is not limited to situations of persecution alone but also to those situations
in which personal likes and dislikes will get in the way of the proclamation of
the Gospel.
The sayings are difficult to put into practice but Jesus never said
that following him in Mission would be easy. The final saying in this section
in 9:1 speaks about some who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of
God has come with power. While this reiterates that the kingdom, which Jesus
inaugurated (Mk1:14-15) is indeed a fact and is indeed near, the
referent for the saying has been interpreted in a variety of ways. Some see the
referent as the event of the Transfiguration Mark 9:2-8), that is the
recognition by Peter, James and John that Jesus has received the Father’s
approval and all power. Others see it as the Passion especially the event of
the tearing of the veil of the temple and Jesus acknowledged as Son of God by
the centurion (15:38-39). Still others see it as the Resurrection of Jesus.
Our ego often comes in the way of our discipleship. Too much
importance to the self leaves one unable to follow, as one ought to.
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