Readings: Jeremiah 20:7-9, Ps. 63:2-6,8-9, Romans 12:1-2, Matthew 16:21-27
“Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” (Romans 12:1-2)
Last Sunday, we saw how Jesus gave Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever he binds on earth is bound in heaven, and whatever he would loose on earth is loosed in heaven. With this power and authority, Peter tried to discourage Jesus from suffering. When Jesus prophesied about his own crucifixion and death, Peter said: “God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” Let us consider some vital lessons in today’s readings:
1. Never Stop Praying for Religious Leaders
From the time of Peter to date, men and women of God have tended to abuse the enormous power and authority given to them by Jesus, the humble lamb who came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Cf. Mark 10:45). Once we forget this fact, we become high-handed in our use of power. We could even be serving the devil’s purpose without knowing it.
2. Be Attentive in Spirit to Detect the Voice of Satan
The devil is a liar and a master of deception. He will never come as a dragon with two horns, sharp teeth or a long tail. No, he comes as a child of light, a trusted friend or lover, and he would use the most subtle manner to seduce us into sin. After trying so hard to prevent Jesus from attaining glory without the cross (at the beginning of His public ministry), the devil tried again through Peter.
Jesus did not bother to address Peter as a person. He went straight to the source: “Get behind me, Satan. You are a hindrance to me, for you are not on the side of God but of men.” If we listen closely, suggestions from friends, co-workers, and colleagues when facing difficulties or trials are subtle inspirations of the devil. This is why we must be alert in spirit, as St. Paul warns: “Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance. (Ephesians 6:18)
3. We Are Either Rocks for Jesus or Stumbling Blocks
From another perspective, some scholars have explained that Jesus did not intend to insult Peter or equate him with the devil. Rather, Jesus referred to Peter as a hindrance, a stumbling block (a translation for the word “Satan”). Having made him the head of the church, Jesus wanted Peter to function as a rock – a stepping stone – a channel through which people could get to Christ. However, by dissuading Jesus from the Cross, Peter was now acting as a stumbling block. Hence, Jesus said to him: “Get behind me.” In other words, “follow my footsteps; don’t try to lead me.”
As ministers of God, when we do not follow Christ’s footsteps, we prevent our followers from getting close to Christ. Instead of acting as stepping stones, we become stumbling blocks by scandalising the faithful. For this reason, Jesus said: “Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble.” (Luke 17:1-2).
We also become stumbling blocks to the faithful when we present a cross-less Christianity. By promoting the Gospel of prosperity, many preachers act like Peter, who assumed there was a way to achieve salvation without suffering. Today, many Christians are wondering whether God truly exists amid their difficulties and challenges because they have been wrongly catechised. They have been told that suffering is weakness. However, Jesus clearly tells us, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Again, we are stumbling blocks for the faithful when we present a transactional model of Christianity. We tell the people that the more they give, the more blessings they receive. We have made God look like a money doubler. We tell people that when they “invest” through tithes, offertories, donations, seed sowing and so on, their problems and difficulties will vanish. Hence, when they face real challenges, many Christians wonder why their “investments” failed. Jesus never demanded giving as a criterion for receiving miracles or blessings. He never promised a life of endless bliss and comfort for those who contribute money and resources to God’s house. Even though the disciples left everything to follow Him, Jesus still demanded that they must carry their own crosses.
4. No Cross, No Crown
When Jesus speaks about carrying our crosses, He is not referring to sufferings entirely beyond our control. For instance, if I suffer from a medical condition, I cannot call it a cross because it is not something entirely within my power. I cannot choose to drop it or pick it up at will. The crosses we must bear as we follow Jesus are those sufferings that come to us in the process of pursuing a righteous life. In other words, you have a choice to either compromise your values (give in to sin to end the suffering) or continue doing what is right even though you are being persecuted for it.
A cross is something you willingly carry, not something imposed on you. Jesus did not say, “If anyone would come after me, let him accept his cross.” He said, “Let him take up his cross.” It requires a deliberate choice. If it is impossible to drop your cross anytime you want to, it is not exactly a cross, and you can neither be rewarded nor punished for it. Jesus will not say, “Welcome to heaven because you had a physical illness.” Rather, He will say, “Welcome to heaven because you chose to feed the hungry even when you could barely meet your needs. You could have chosen to be selfish, and no one will accuse you of doing wrong, but you went out of your way to help people regardless of the cost.”
We live in a world awash with sexual immorality. Our values have turned upside down. Years ago, young people considered it a thing of pride to be called virgins even in their twenties, but nowadays, teenagers are actively “selling” themselves on social media. Gone are the days when parents would caution their children against indecency; today, some parents help their children produce pornography. Today, treating your body as a temple of God has become a heavy and painful cross.
In today’s second reading, St. Paul appeals to us to carry the cross of treating our bodies as God’s temples. “I appeal to you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Dear friends, even though everyone you know is swimming in sin, dare to stand out. Follow the narrow path. Jesus says, “For the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and many take it. For the gate is narrow, and the road is hard that leads to life, and few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-15). When we faithfully carry our cross despite the pressures from the world around us, that is when we receive a crown of glory.
5. Repentance Begins with Renewing Your Mind
Do you feel stuck in sin? Transformation happens only when you renew your mind. How do we renew our minds? By changing its content. We renew our minds by deliberately changing what we focus on. We renew our minds by ensuring our thoughts align with St. Paul’s admonition to the Philippians: “Whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
In today’s second reading, St. Paul says, “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” You only repent of sin by non-conformance. When the world tells you it is okay to do something just because it brings money and pleasure, you need a renewed mind to prioritise what God says about that thing. The more time you spend on social media, the more you consume all kinds of lies and worldly standards of living. On the other hand, by reading and meditating on the Scripture daily, you gradually gain power to resist the flesh’s impulses. Even the bible acknowledges that God’s people perish today due to ignorance. (Cf. Hosea 4:6). If you are careful enough to drink only purified water or eat only hygienic foods, why do you entertain evil thoughts in your mind?
6. Don’t Just Carry the Cross; Embrace It with Joy
Many Christians live very righteous lives, but they go about looking miserable. Jesus warns against this attitude when he said, “When you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:17-18). Do not be conformed to the world; embrace suffering for Christ’s sake, but do it joyfully. In the Beatitudes, Jesus said, “Rejoice and be glad.” (Matthew 5:12).
Have you ever been laughed at because of your dress code? Rejoice and be glad. Have you ever been called names, insulted or even rejected for standing by your beliefs and values? Rejoice and be glad. Even Jeremiah, in today’s First Reading, says: “I have become a laughingstock all day; everyone mocks me.” Let them laugh at you, but smile back, knowing that “your reward is great in heaven.” When they insult you, think of heaven and smile. The more you focus on eternity, the lighter your Cross feels.
Let us pray: God of might, giver of every good gift, put into our hearts the love of your name, so that, by deepening our sense of reverence, you may nurture in us what is good and, by your watchful care, keep safe what you have nurtured. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Jeremiah 20:7-9, Ps. 63:2-6,8-9, Romans 12:1-2, Matthew 16:21-27)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu