GOSPEL READING:
Matthew 16:21-2721 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him and began to rebuke him, saying, "God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you." 23 But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but of men."24 Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life? 27 For the Son of man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay every man for what he has done
Meditation: What is the way to glory and victory in the
kingdom of God? Jesus told his disciples that he must first suffer
rejection, be crucified, and then rise again on the third day. In
so many words he explained that there could be no victory and no
glory without the cross. Jesus' prediction of his suffering and
death on the cross caused his disciples great dismay and
disbelief. Peter, who was often the first to react to whatever
Jesus had to say, wanted to protect Jesus from any threat or harm.
That is why he rebuked the very thought of Jesus having to face
rejection, condemnation, and crucifixion.
"My way or God's way"
Why did Jesus use the word "Satan" when he addressed Peter? When
Jesus went out into the wilderness to prepare for his public
ministry, Satan came to tempt him to follow a different path than
the one chosen by the Father in heaven. Now Jesus recognizes in
Peter's response another temptation to seek a different and less
costly path for accomplishing his mission than the way of the
cross. The word "Satan" literally means "adversary" - one who
stands in opposition. Jesus reminds Peter that his role is not to
be an adversary but a disciple - one who gets behind
his Master to follow with trust and obedience.
Victory and glory through the cross
Jesus knew that the cross was the only way he could ransom us from
slavery to sin with the price of his blood which was shed for our
freedom. Through his sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus
defeated Satan who held us in bondage to sin and condemnation. And
Jesus defeated the power of death and overcame the grave through
his resurrection. Through his obedience to his heavenly Father's
will, Jesus reversed the curse of Adam's disobedience. His death
on the cross won pardon for the guilty, freedom for the oppressed,
healing for the afflicted, and new life for those condemned to
death. His death makes possible our freedom to live as the adopted
sons and daughters of the merciful Father in heaven.
The paradox of God's economy
Jesus told his disciples that they, too, must be willing to lay
down their lives in order to gain new everlasting life with the
Father in his kingdom. There's a certain paradox in God's economy.
We lose what we gain, and we gain what we lose. When we try to run
our life our own way, we end up losing it to futility. Only God
can free us from our ignorant and sinful ways. When we surrender
our lives to God, he gives us new life in his Spirit and the
pledge of eternal life. God wants us to be spiritually fit and
ready to do his will at all times. When the human body is very
weak or ill, we make every effort to nurse it back to health. How
much more effort and attention should we give to the spiritual
health of our hearts and minds!
The great exchange
What will you give to God in exchange for freedom and eternal
life? Are you ready to part with anything that might keep you from
following the Lord Jesus and his perfect plan for your life? Jesus
poses these questions to challenge our assumptions about what is
most profitable and worthwhile in life. In every decision of life
we are making ourselves a certain kind of person. It is possible
that some can gain all the things they have set their heart on,
only to wake up suddenly and discover that they missed the most
important thing of all. Of what value are material things if they
don't help you gain what truly lasts for eternity. Neither money
nor possessions can buy heaven, mend a broken heart, or cheer a
lonely person.
Losing all to gain all with Jesus Christ
A true disciple gladly gives up all that he or she has in exchange
for an unending life of joy and happiness with God. God gives
without measure. The joy he offers no sadness or loss can
diminish. The cross of Jesus Christ leads to victory and freedom
from sin and death. What is the cross which Jesus Christ commands
me to take up each day? When my will crosses with his
will, then his will must be done. Are you ready to lose all for
Jesus Christ in order to gain all with Jesus Christ?
Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and all my will, all that I have and possess. You have given them to me; to you, O Lord, I restore them; all things are yours, dispose of them according to your will. Give me your love and your grace, for this is enough for me. (Prayer of Ignatius of Loyola, 1491-1556)
Psalm 63:1-5,7-8
1 O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where no water is.
2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.
3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
4 So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name.
5 My soul is feasted as with marrow and fat, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips,
7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.
8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: This shall never happen to you, by John Chrysostom (347-407 AD)
"Peter was examining the issue by human and earthly reasoning. He
thought it disgraceful to Jesus as something unworthy of him.
Jesus responded sharply, in effect saying, 'My suffering is not an
unseemly matter. You are making this judgment with a carnal mind.
If you had listened to my teachings in a godly way, tearing
yourself away from carnal understanding, you would know that this
of all things most becomes me. You seem to suppose that to suffer
is unworthy of me. But I say to you that for me not to suffer is
of the devil's mind.' So he repressed Peter's alarm by contrary
arguments. Remember that John, accounting it unworthy of Christ to
be baptized by him, was persuaded by Christ to baptize him,
saying, 'Let it be so now' (Matthew 3:15). So we find Peter as
well, forbidding Christ to wash his feet. He is met by the words,
'If I do not wash you, you have no part in me.' Here too Jesus
restrained him by the mention of the opposite, and by the severity
of the reproof he repressed his fear of suffering." (excerpt from the THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW,
HOMILY 54.6)
