Scripture for Mass
Jeremiah 20:7-9
Psalm: 63(62): 2. 3-4. 5-6. 8-9. Response: 2b
Romans: 12:1-2
Matthew 16:21-27
Most Christians hold firmly to the belief that if we do what is right and pray often, then God will protect us from hardship and suffering. And if he doesn’t, then either we have failed in our religious practises, or God has let us down. This way of thinking is deeply embedded even in the hearts of many devout Christians, including Peter, the apostle!
In the gospel reading for last Sunday (the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time), Peter declared that Jesus was ‘the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus responded by telling him that this astonishing insight was not the product of his own intellect but rather a special revelation from God the Father. He then appointed Peter as the foundational rock of his Church, giving him the keys of the kingdom of heaven. What an accolade! What an honour for Peter!
How much greater, then, the shock which Peter must have felt when Jesus turned to him a short time later and said, ‘Get behind me Satan!’ What had he done to deserve such a devastating rebuke?
Peter’s great mistake was to think that God the Father would exempt his Christ from suffering. Since his beloved Son was so loving, faithful and sincere in his devotion to God the Father and others, surely God the Father would save him from all adversity and distress.
Jesus makes it clear, however, that while Peter’s way of thinking makes sense to most people, it is not God’s way of viewing things. God does not save us from hardship and suffering but rather accompanies and supports us in our darkest moments – just as he did for Jesus on his journey of trials and tribulations from Gethsemane to Golgotha, and on to his triumphal appearances in Galilee.
Faithful God, help us to trust that you accompany us in every moment of our journey through this world.
May we remain faithful to our calling to follow Christ, willingly accepting the joys and sorrows of life.
Grant us an attentive spirit so that we might be alert to your presence during times of darkness, doubt and distress in our own lives.
Grant us a generous and gentle heart so that we might readily make ourselves available to accompany and support others during their troubles, trials and tribulations.
Fill us with hope in your promise to guide and provide for us through Christ, the Good Shepherd.
Amen.
Fr. Tim Mulroy
