Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

24^th Sunday of the Year, B – September 16, 2018.

Readings: Isaiah 50:5-9; Ps 114:1-6,8-9; James 2:14-18; Gospel – Mark 8:27-35.

Theme: The 5 Solas & the Scandal of a Crossless Christianity!

Introduction

Tuesday 31^st October 2017 marked the 500 years of the Protestant Reformation led by an ex-Augustinian Priest, Rev. Fr. Martin Luther who pinned his popular 95 theses on the Wittenberg Castle Church in Germany to not only break away from the Catholic Church in what is called schism in theology but also denounce the papacy. Since then, Christendom has not remained the same. One schism led to another culminating in the proliferation of churches. One painful takeaway from the reformation which has remained with us is Sola Fide (faith alone). In our liturgy today, St. James brings to the fore one of the hottest debates between Catholics and Protestants.

While Protestants opine that one can be saved by faith alone based on Luther’s submission, Catholics insists on the testimony of St. James that one is justified by both faith and works. We shall explore the theme “The 5 Solas & the Scandal of a Crossless Christianity” in the light of the other theological debates while insisting on Jesus’ take on the matter namely: “If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me.” This reflection shall browse through the readings with the view to establishing the fact that it is only Christianity of the Cross, through faith and works that saves.   

Background & Summary of the Readings

The first reading (Isaiah 50:5-9) paints the picture of the Suffering Servant who accepts suffering, pain, humiliation, insults and condemnation without complain. He willingly makes no resistance neither does he turn away. He offers his back to those who stroke him, his cheeks to those who tore his beard; he does not cover his face against insult and spittle. Relaying on his vindicator, he says, “The Lord comes to my help, so that I am untouched by the insults.” The responsorial psalm captures the same sentiments when it says, “he has kept my soul from death, my eyes from tears and my feet from stumbling. I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.”   

In the second reading (James 2:14-18), St. James, whom I refer to as the Apostle of Faith and Works, maintains that salvation is tied to both faith and works. James does not denounce faith but notes that faith is expressed through good works. Little wonder, the scripture says: “Work out your salvation in fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12). The epistle challenges Christians to move from being hearers of the word to doers of the word. It makes a case for practical Christianity which takes cognizance of the needs of our brothers and sisters. It connects the Christian with Christ, the Church and the community.

The Gospel reading (Mark 8:27-35) reveals Jesus’ teaching about the cost of discipleship and the call to embrace Christianity of the Cross. It was crucial that Jesus asked the question concerning what people were saying about him. It is important to note that the Jews looked forward to a military cum political messiah that would come from the Davidic dynasty to crush their enemies. The disciples too were not too clear about the identity of Jesus which theologians call, the messianic secret. As a result, Jesus puts the question to them, “who do people say I am.” After replying that some he was John the Baptist, others Elijah and still others, one of the prophets, Peter, the head of the Apostles and the First Pope said, “You are the Christ.”

Because people did not really know who he was, he gave the apostles strict orders not to anyone about him. This was also so that no one stands in the way of his salvific mission. Despite Peter’s superlative answer, we find him remonstrating with Jesus when Jesus said he would be put to death. Again, this is to prove the point that Peter and the other Apostles did not really have a clear knowledge of the messianic secret that the Christ would suffer and so enter into his own glory. After denouncing and rebuking Peter, Jesus uses the opportunity to educate both the people and the disciples about his vision and mission namely: “If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.”    
    

The 5 Solas and the Shame of a Crossless Christianity

1. Sola Fide (Faith alone): This is the teaching that we are saved through faith alone in Jesus Christ. It teaches that we are not saved by our merits or declared righteous by our good works. God grants salvation not because of the good things we do and despite our sin. Here, there is a departing point between Catholics and Protestants which St. James clarifies today. While Catholics insist that we are justified through, faith and works, Protestants hold the view that our good works amount to nothing.

2. Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone): This simply means, the Bible alone is the highest authority. This theology insists that the Bible is the ultimate and trustworthy authority for faith and practice. It argues that the scripture is the only place where truth is found and maintains that whatever we need to know about God, this world and all other authorities must be interpreted in light of Scripture and not Sacred Tradition or the Church’s Magisterium.