In today’s gospel Jesus teaches the need to recognize the gifts of others even when they are not of our group, the reward for a charity done to those who preach the word of God and to cut off anything that would separate us from God. Mark’s Gospel of today, sets off with John’s questions to Jesus about an unknown exorcist who was driving out demons in Jesus’ name. John’s question might have been motivated by jealousy. The disciple of Jesus observed that the unknown exorcist invoked Jesus’ name and was successful in his healing efforts. This unknown healer recognized the power of Jesus’ name, yet he was not a follower of Jesus. In Jesus’ reply: Jesus acknowledges that deeds of faith can precede the words of faith.

Last week’s gospel presented us with the question Jesus asked His disciples: who do people say that the Son of Man is? The different responses of the disciples failed to give a correct answer to the identity of who Jesus is, which prompted Him to ask them more directly, but “who you say that I Am?” Then, Peter spoke on behalf of the apostles that He was the Christ which means the Anointed One.

In today’s gospel reading Jesus asks His disciples “who do the people say the Son of Man is?” The disciples told Him what other people say “You are John the Baptist, others say Elijah, others Jeremiah, and still others say one of the prophets.” Thereafter, He asks them a direct question, “but you who have been with Me all this time, who do you think I Am?” Peter speaking on behalf of the other apostles said, “You are the Christ.” The second part of Jesus question was a personal question in the same way this same question is what each one is called to answer personally, “who is Jesus for you?” How do you respond to the question of who Jesus is?

The passage of today’s first reading from the Prophet Isaiah may have been written during the Babylonian exile. There were very difficult moments in the life and history of Israel when they seem to have lost all hope of returning back to Jerusalem. It was in the midst of this hopeless situation that the prophecy of Isaiah comes to console and encourage the people, “Thus, says the Lord, say to those whose hearts are frightened or the fearful heart, be strong, fear not. Here comes your God, He comes with vindication He comes to save you.” God not only offers those words of hope and courage, but He assures them that He comes to save them. He goes further to prophecy to them that “the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared and the lame leap like a stag and the tongue of the mute will sing.”