Is50:5-9a; Ps 114 (116); Jm 2:14-18; Mk 8:27-35

In his letter James recalls the relationship between faith and works. Faith is not dead, it is alive if it is vital, in other words it can generate a life coherent with what we believe. Mark describes this report in a narrative way: for Peter and the other disciples believing in Jesus means to follow him along the same path. If one does not know how to stay behind Jesus, if one pretends to know his mystery without assuming the demands of following, faith turns into idolatry. Instead of the Spirit, it is Satan who speaks in us, the bringer of division. Satan does not care that Peter confesses the Messianic identity of Jesus. The Devils have already done so before him and in a more precise way, from the first pages of Mark. What Satan does not tolerate is that Jesus lives out in this way his being the Christ, in a love that gives life to his own sinful brethren, even for those who crucify him, in other words, in the form of the suffering servant whom Isaiah speaks to us today. Following Jesus on this path, Peter will really come to understand who he is, because he will learn to love in his own love. Only in the following of the risen crucified one can we accomplish that work which, as James wants, shows the truth of our faith.

Commentary by Comunità di Dumenza

Translation by f. Mark Hargreaves, Prinknash Abbey