TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME SEPTEMBER 12, 2021

MASS READINGS:

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mk 8:27-35

Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.” Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him. He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.”

REFLECTION

“Who do people say that I am?”

In Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene II, Juliet asks, " What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet". If Romeo was not a Montague and if Juliet was not a Capulet, the line implies that the family feud would not be there if they had a different last name.

God knows our names and He helps us develop our God given identities. We read that the people of Nazareth could not see past the name of Jesus' father and therefore were unable to accept Jesus. The name of Jesus or followers of Jesus led to many persecutions, beheadings, coliseum tragedies and Nero's human lanterns.

Some people name their children after sports players, movie stars, family members and famous people. In Baptism, "the Lord's name sanctifies man, and the Christian receives his name in the Church. " A saint's name is best as the exemplary life of the saint may be an example for the baptized. (Catholic Catechism)

In our PAPA booklet, the PAPA Top Secret III, The Name by St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, states that the Name of Jesus, which God alone could give to Him, saves, consoles, is a food that nourishes, heals us when we invoke it and defends against hell. The name of Jesus protects us from the danger of sin, in temptation, and when attacked by evil. It also inflames with Holy Love --the self sacrificing saving love. Say the Name of Jesus frequently.

Yes, there is power in the Name of Jesus. He is not a Montague nor a Capulet, nor any common name but is the Divine Name given to Him by His Father..."His Name was called Jesus".

God Bless You