B: 24th Sun of OrdTime (16 Sept 2018) - MINIMAL REQUIREMENT - Mk 8:27-35

“You are the Christ” (Mk 8:29). This is the brief, bland, and bold response of Peter when asked by Jesus, “But who do you say that I am?” Instead of describing who Jesus is, Peter kept his answer simple with the titular “Christ”. This is what we find in the Gospel according to Mark. But when compared with Peter’s confession in the other three gospel accounts, we are surprised to discover that they are more elaborated: (1) “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” in Mt 16:16, (2) “The Christ of God” in Lk 9:20, and (3) “The Holy One of God” in Jn 6:69.

What we read in Mark is the most basic identity of Jesus: the Christ. Yet it is understandable why in Mark, everything is so concise, abrupt, and abbreviated. It was written a little before the Fall of Jerusalem (70 CE) when a heightened persecution was at play. Mark was asking his Christian audience to adhere to the minimal tenet of faith, i.e., Jesus is the Christ, and was not concerned about the other complex matters of communal and ecclesial living.

In divergence, Matthew was quite particular about this. In fact, the Greek term ekklesia (“church, congregation, or assembly”) only appears in the gospels in Matthew (cf. Mt 16:18; 18:17) denoting an utmost need for organization in order to be categorically differentiated from Judaism. In a similar vein, Luke was cognizant of the admission of Gentiles into the Christian fold and was deliberate in presenting not only Jesus as the Christ but also as the merciful Son of God (Lk 22:70) for all ethnic groups (cf. Lk 2:32). Both Matthew and Luke were written a decade or two after the Fall of Jerusalem, thus, both having a social context different from Mark. Meanwhile, John composed his gospel at the end of the first century when the second generation of Christ’s followers were the implied readers. John was speaking to a community with a different set of concerns, particularly, regarding doctrinal disputes not only with the Jews but with other Christians as well (cf. Jn 9:22; 12:42; 16:2). Thus, there was a need for more advanced theological statements that would mark a mature Christ-follower.

What we have just done is a rundown of the history of the writing of the Gospels. All the different formulae on who Jesus is are correct because each of them was written under a valid context. What this approach of viewing the gospels tells us is that we can look at anything in life with a more understanding outlook. We simply have to consider the context behind each. Moreover, we can also criticize matters and events in life, when the response does not match its context. Since Mark’s context necessitates a Markan response, it follows that Luke’s context should receive a Lukan response, not a Markan, Matthean or Johannine.

We come now to evaluate the Philippines. What is our socio-political context? Are we a newly created nation under a military turmoil ala Markan context? Are we a long-standing nation that needs discipline, order and rules toward progress ala Matthen context? Are we a nation struck with a complicated history of division in need of healing ala Lukan context? Or are we a nation that is in dire longing for spiritual purpose, direction and existential meaning ala Johannine context? Any response is moot, but one thing is historically definite: Having had our independence in 1898, we cannot be classified under the first category (Markan context). We are more than a century-old as a nation; what we need is a higher level of governance.

Most Filipinos would say that they are already content to have a Messiah President (or someone who appear, speak, or act as one). Mr. Duterte won the elections convincingly and continues to enjoy the public support because in the eyes of many, he is the only Philippine president with a pure, un-politicized, and pro-poor heart. Provided that all of these attributes are true, an unconditional desire to serve is not enough. We need more than a plain Messiah (But is there really economic salvation under his messiahship considering the high inflation rate and worsening poverty level?). We need someone who advocates the “living” ala Mt 16:16 (How many deaths are there in the Drug War?), who promotes the values “of God” ala Lk 9:20 (How many political dissidents are persecuted?), and who tries to be “holy” ala Jn 6:69 (How many foul statements are uttered in public?).

“But who do you say that a true leader is?” Let our answer be someone who tries his/her best to meet all the positive qualities: a messiah-like in alleviating poverty and who is at the same time pro-life, pro-God, and pro-virtues. Let us not be content with the minimal requirement.

- Rex Fortes, CM