Behind every miracle there is a generous and charitable heart.

Ish 50:5-9, Jam. 2:14-18, Mk 8:27-35. Being the Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, the Church invites us to demonstrate our faith in our actions. The first reading presents us with the song of the “Suffering Servant of Yahweh.” It is the prophecies about the Messiah who was not rebellious. He did His Father's will by proclaiming and securing salvation for humanity. The second reading describes the challenge of practical faith. It presents us with the reality of what it actually means to be true believers.

In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of how He would fulfil the prophesy of Isaiah as His mission was to redeem humanity through His suffering and death. Peter knew who Jesus was, but he was not ready to accept the reality before him. He wants the crown, but denies the cross that must come before it. Like Peter, most times we do not want to face the realities of life. We only want to hear that there will be no difficulty in life. Practical Christianity means faith in action. It means accepting to carry our cross humbly and patiently while relying on the same grace that helped Christ. It is by carrying His cross and dying on it that Christ demonstrated His love and generosity for us. Faith without action is dead and an un-demonstrated faith is of no value.

May the Lord look upon us, so that we may feel the working of the mercy of God and beautifully express our faith in action! Amen!! Good morning and Happy Sunday!!!