Florida Catholic | Sunday Word

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Following Christ from death to life

August 31, 2008 :: Jer 20:7-9; Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9; Rom 12:1-2; Mt 16:21-27

SISTER SALLIE LATKOVICH | SPECIAL TO THE FLORIDA CATHOLIC

Although we are in the liturgical time called “ordinary,” the Scriptures we are given to hear today for the Liturgy of the Word are very challenging.

It is no small thing to follow Jesus. We are reminded on this Sunday that we follow Jesus from death to life.

Jeremiah’s cry in the first reading may be a way that we can determine if we are indeed following Christ. He cries out that he feels he has been tricked by God in his prophetic call. If we follow Christ we will be an object of laughter and even of mocking by some who live by other standards, by the standards of our culture. We live in a time, not unlike other times, where the Gospel message of love and forgiveness are often opposite of a culture that urges us only to look out for ourselves and to retaliate or seek retribution for any hurt. Like Jeremiah, we may face derision and reproach all the day.

Paul speaks very directly in the second reading: “Do not conform to this age, but be transformed.” Rather than simple decision-making by logic, Paul urges the Romans, and us, to discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect. What is the will of God?

We might draw some wisdom from Jeremiah 29:11, where he says of God: “I know well the plans I have in mind for you, plans for your welfare, and not for woe! Plans to give you a future full of hope.” God speaks here like a loving parent, of their own “will” for their children. Because of the gift of our free will, God urges us to decide to do what is “good and pleasing and perfect.” In other words, what would Jesus do?

The Gospel text follows Peter’s proclamation of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. In today’s reading, Jesus goes on to describe that he will suffer and die, and be raised up on the third day. Quite naturally, Peter can’t bear it, any more than we could bear our dearest friend to have to suffer and die. And Peter speaks out. As discussed in a previous column, Jesus turns to Peter and the original Greek could also be translated as: “Get back into my following Peter; get behind me in this, you devil!”

I began by saying that these readings will challenge us. What greater challenge could there be than to desire, to intend to follow Jesus in his dying and rising? That is what Jesus asks of us.

My hunch is that none of us need to go out searching for suffering and death, but will find it part of our lives if we are attentive and reflective of our day-to-day lives. As children, we may have been taught to “offer it up” when we suffered in any way; as adults, let us learn to cling to Jesus in our daily dyings. And, may we be raised up with him as well.

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