• First Reading. Isaiah 50:5-9.  In the first reading, a prophet has words of hope for a fearful people.  God is coming with gifts of healing and life.  The just person is sustained in all his trials by the firm belief that God is with him.

• Second Reading.  James 2:14-18.  In the second reading, we hear that faith without works is dead.  Living faith will perform works of charity.  Faith without good works is dead.

• Gospel.  Mark 8:27-35.  In the Gospel, Peter confesses Jesus to be the Messiah.  However, he misunderstands the full implications of what that means.  Even though Peter declares his belief in Jesus as the Messiah, he has no idea what that implies.

Hospital waiting room… One rather self-important individual was getting impatient. Unwilling to wait any longer, he barged in and demanded to be seen by the doctor. "Don't you know who I am?"- shouted the man. The secretary calmly pressed the button on the microphone of her loudspeaker system and asked the waiting patients. "I have a gentleman here who doesn't know who he is. Can someone please assist him in finding out? Thank you." If you were to go around asking your friends, "What do people say about me?" Or "Who do you say I am?" they might take it as an evidence of pride or dementia. But what people believe and say about Jesus Christ will determine their destiny. Your confession concerning Jesus Christ is a matter of life or death.

God bless ! – Fr. Krzysztof Rusin