Readings: Deuteronomy 4:32-40, Ps. 77:12-16,21, Matthew 16:24-28
“Whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What will profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life?” (Matthew 16:25-26)
Materialism has crept into the hearts of many Christians today. Like Peter, we resist the way of suffering for Christ’s sake. We reject the cross. We often ask, “How can I have God as my Father and still be suffering?” “How can I be a prayer warrior, a leader in the church, a child of light, etc. and still beg for my daily bread?” Peter said to Jesus, “How can you be the Son of God and still suffer the agony of arrest, betrayal and crucifixion?”
What did Jesus say to Peter? Get behind me, Satan. In our quest for riches and material comforts, we do not see how Satan creeps into our minds. I have heard many say, “If your church does not change you (that is, make you wealthier financially), then change your church.” The gospel of prosperity is Satan’s strategy of distracting Christians from God. Instead of embracing suffering for Christ’s sake and hope for heavenly rewards, the gospel of prosperity focuses our attention on the fleeting things of this world.
Today’s Gospel passage continues Jesus’ response to Peter when he tried to discourage Him from the Way of the Cross (the road of suffering, humiliation and death). Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” What does this mean? St. John Chrysostom said, “When you deny a person, for instance, say, a brother or a close friend, it means you would fail to defend that person or try to rescue him when you see him beaten, kicked, slapped and tortured. And so, when you deny yourself, you do not resist whatever sufferings, beatings, or humiliation come your way due to your Christian Faith.”
According to St. Jerome, to take up the cross is to become crucified to the world and consider the world as crucified to you. Jesus asked: “What exactly do we gain if we are unqualified for heaven at the end of our lives?” Carrying the cross entails loving our enemies, forgiving hurts easily, and upholding strong moral values such as faithfulness to one’s marital vows, purity of heart, honesty, kindness, etc.
This call to embrace the cross has been re-echoed from the time of Moses. In today’s first reading, Moses said, “You must keep his statutes and commandments which I enjoin on you today, that you and your children after you may prosper, and that you may have a long life on the land which the Lord, your God, is giving you forever.” Is it easy to obey God’s commandments? No. That is why it is a cross we must carry.
St. Dominic was born in 1170 in Caleruega, Spain, to a noble family. He became a key figure in the Catholic Church, known for his strong faith and efforts to fight heresy. Dominic’s disciplined and straightforward lifestyle inspired many who were living in heresy to return to the faith. Many believe that St. Dominic received the Rosary from the Virgin Mary. However, the Rosary became widely popular after his time.
In 1215, Dominic established the Order of Preachers, also known as the Dominicans, focusing on education, moral living, and fighting heresy. Dominic stayed faithful to his vows of poverty and often travelled barefoot, carrying only the Gospel of Matthew and St. Paul’s Epistles. He passed away on August 6 at the age of 51. Pope Gregory IX canonised him in 1234. Today, his legacy lives on through the Dominican Order. St. Dominic is celebrated on August 8 and is the patron saint of astronomers, the Dominican Republic, and those falsely accused. He is often depicted with a dog, lilies, a book, and a distinctive tonsure.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, may our love for the things of this world not become an obstacle on our path to eternal life. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saint Dominic, Priest. Liturgical Colour: White. Bible Study: Deuteronomy 4:32-40, Ps. 77:12-16,21, Matthew 16:24-28)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu