Cycle A - Year II:  

30 August 2020:  Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Liturgical Color: Green)

Readings:

First Reading:        Jeremiah 20:7-9

Second Reading:   Romans 12:1-2

Gospel:  Please Read  Matthew 16:21-27

"Take up the cross and follow me!"

 Before the dawn of modern technology and gadgets, the favorite pastime of of young people was reading books. Romantic books were popular. In one such romantic plot, a man promises his girl to fly her to the moon and back in order to win her heart.

But then Apollo 11 happened, and on July 20, 1969 the first man who ever stepped on the moon's surface, Neil Amstrong (Rip) showed the world that there is nothing romantic on the surface of the moon after all.  Would the girl still ride with the man to the moon?

And so also with our Christian journey.  Will you follow our Lord Jesus Christ when He says that His only way is through the cross?

We hear in this Sunday's Gospel proclamation that our Lord Jesus surprised His disciples with the announcement that He is going to Jerusalem to suffer, die and rise again.  He says that even with the great miracles and healing He has done, the cross remains at the center of His salvific mission.

Now Peter, who has just been called the "rock" upon which Christ would build His Church in last Sunday's Gospel reacts negatively to Jesus' announcement.  Peter objects and that he will not allow these terrible things to happen to Jesus.  Now Peter was thinking in worldly standards, and did not yet understand the meaning of Christ's suffering and death.  So Jesus rebukes him: "You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."  

Then Jesus takes the opportunity to further explain to the disciples His mission on earth.  "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me."  This challenge is meant not only for the first apostles, all of whom but one, would indeed die for their faith.  Because our Lord's words are meant as well for any one of us today who want to call ourselves Jesus' disciples. Are we willing to follow our Lord Jesus Christ through the cross?

Let us first understand what "taking up the cross" means to us.  We can reflect in several ways...

Foremost it means we must die to our sin.  Our Lord makes it clear that we must put to death our inclination to sin. The Scriptures are clear on this.  For God hates iniquity!

Now, "taking up the cross" also means responding faithfully to the demands and duties of our life's calling or vocation.  For example, husband and wife take up their cross when they vow to be faithful to one another in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, in prosperity and adversity.  Because fulfilling their vows of fidelity means giving up or putting on hold certain personal plans and dreams because the family comes first.

A worker "takes up the cross" when he or she does his/her work faithfully and efficiently, resisting the temptation of corruption and other forms of malpractice at work.

Students "take up their cross" when they remain focused in their studies, giving importance to the sacrifices of their parents to educate them, rather than wasting time and resources on anything that takes them away from completing their education.

Even priests "take up the cross" when they live up to their vows of celibacy for the sake of the mission, or when they choose to give priority to their mission of proclaiming God's kingdom over their own personal interests and even safety, becoming like Christ Himself to others.

And so there are many more of such life situations.  In sum, we must be ready to do God's will and not our own.  It means we are willing to let God tear down whatever is keeping us from God, whatever obstacles are keeping us from really knowing God's love for us.

In the first reading, the prophet Jeremiah complains about his inner conflicts of speaking for God. But he trusts in God's love and commits himself to do God's will.

So then, does it mean that Christian life is all about sacrifices and drudgery?  Well, it is not.  Christian life is not all about the cross.  Christ's prediction of His passion was followed by the promise of glory in the end.  Yes, our Lord will die, but He will rise again.  And so if we are willing to die to sin and remain faithful to God's will for us,  then not only shall we die for Christ but we shall also rise up to new life with Him, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

This is our Christian challenge in order to follow Jesus through His cross of passion to the victory of His Resurrection.

In the Holy Eucharist at Mass, let us pray for courage and faith to accept the cross as part of our life's journey in following Jesus who saved the world and us by His passion, death and resurrection.

A blessed Sunday to us all.  And thank you for a moment with God.

Ad Jesum per Mariam!