Embracing the Cross
Listening to the Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. And kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you will renew the face of the earth.
Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit you have taught the hearts of your faithful. In the same Spirit help us to relish what is right and always rejoice in your consolation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Listening to the Word
From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
Reflection
On the 22nd Sunday, we meditate on the Gospel of Matthew 16:21-27, where Jesus discloses to his disciples the journey to Jerusalem, enduring immense suffering, facing death, and rising on the third day. In an act of love and concern, Peter rebukes Jesus, saying, "God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you." To this, Jesus responds with stern words, "Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."
This passage reveals a profound message about discipleship and the call to follow Jesus. Jesus clarifies that his mission involves suffering and death, urging Peter to accept this difficult reality. His rebuke reminds us that our ‘human’ understanding and desires can sometimes clash with God's plan. We are summoned to align our thinking with God's will, even when it means being challenged.
Last Sunday, we heard how Jesus complimented Simon's answer as he professed Jesus' identity: "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Jesus identified Simon’s response as a fruit of divine revelation: "Blessed are you, Simon of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so, I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my church." Here, we contemplate that our relationship with Christ must be guided by the Holy Spirit, who discerns God's will in our lives. Jesus rebukes Peter in today’s gospel because Peter’s thoughts contrast with God's plan of salvation in Jesus Christ.
What is our love for Jesus, who embraced the Cross for our salvation? Do we entertain the temptation of following Jesus without bearing a cross? As disciples of Jesus, we are summoned to shoulder our cross and follow him. This entails embracing the challenges and sacrifices inherent in following Christ. It may encompass encountering opposition, rejection, or even persecution. Nevertheless, Jesus assures us that those who lose their lives for his sake will enjoy eternal life.
In today's gospel, Jesus also emphasizes the significance of self-denial. This does not mean negating our own worth or value but prioritizing God's will over our personal desires and ambitions. It means surrendering our own plans and yielding to God's plan for our lives. This requires humility, trust, and a readiness to surrender control of our lives to God.
Ultimately, the 22nd Sunday gospel reminds us that discipleship is not always easy. It necessitates sacrifice, self-denial, and a readiness to follow Jesus even when the path is arduous. However, it also promises that by surrendering our lives for the sake of Christ, we will find true life in Him.
Let us meditate on this Gospel passage and ask ourselves: Are we prepared to follow Jesus, even when it entails embracing the cross? Are we willing to deny ourselves and submit to God's will? May the Lord grace us the courage and faith to answer these questions with a deep "yes," fully aware that in doing so, we will discover authentic life and eternal joy in Christ.
Gospel Reflections
Allowing Jesus to Change Us
Who Is Jesus for Me? From Encounter to Mission
