HOMILY OF 22ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME — YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: “THIS MUST NOT HAPPEN TO YOU”
BY: Fr. Cajetan Anyanwu
Jer 20: 7-9, Ps. 63:2-6, 8-9, Rom 12:1-2, Matt 16:21-27
This is the 22nd Sunday in ordinary time(Yr. A). It is quite common for families, friends neighbors and acquaintances to wish good to one another, especially, in times of trouble and suffering. They say, God forbid, may it not happen to you or nothing will happen to you. This was what Peter wished Jesus after hearing about the suffering he would experience in Jerusalem. “God preserve you, Lord, … This must not happen to you” (Mtt. 16:21-27). Jesus made a drastic remark about Peter. No one knew that Jesus would react in such a manner. Ordinarily, Jesus would have said to Peter thank you for your concern. But he rebuked Peter saying “Get behind me, satan! You are an obstacle in my path.” Are you an obstacle to the spread of God’s love?
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One wonders why Jesus used the word satan for Peter. It was because human beings do not like to embrace suffering as a way to heaven. There is no good Christian without the cross. To be an outstanding Christian is to allow oneself to be overpowered and used by God. This entails suffering for the sake of the Kingdom. When two people are wrestling, shame fills the one who is defeated. This was what happen to Jeremiah when God overpowered him, he exclaimed: “You have overpowered me: you were the stronger. I am a daily laughing stock, everybody’s butt” (Jer. 20:7-9). Do not allow yourself to be ashamed because of carrying the cross of Christ.
Those who are ashamed to carry the cross are Christians in disguise. For this reason, Paul writes, “Do not model yourselves on the behavior of the world around you. But let your behavior change, modelled by your new mind’ (Rom. 12:1-2). The Christian who is modelled by the world is worldly and cannot fit into the category of those suffering for Christ. For this reason Jesus tells us that “the son of man is going to come …. and he will reward each one according to his/her behavior.” This is our chance to follow Christ more closely by carrying the cross through helping the poor, consoling the afflicted and saving lives. May the cross bring us closer to God amen. Happy Sunday.
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