Gospel: Matthew
16:21-27
Jesus began to show
his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders,
the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be
raised. Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord!
No such thing shall ever happen to you.” He turned and said to Peter, “Get
behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
Then Jesus said to
his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his
cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but
whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for
one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?
Or what can one give
in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his
Father’s glory, and then he will repay all according to his conduct.”
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Reflection:
When do we have a
true encounter with Jesus? It’s when we are burdened by the worries and
suffering/s of this world this is where we have a personal encounter with
Jesus. Never would we have a personal encounter with Jesus if we are enjoying
the fruits of this world. It’s always through our worries and suffering that we
have a true discernment of the presence of Jesus in our lives.
When Jesus told the
disciples that he will go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the
chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed. Peter was adamant with his
protestation, Peter even told Jesus, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall
ever happen to you.” Why did Peter oppose this suffering statement of Jesus?
Was he concerned of the welfare of Jesus? Or Peter was afraid that if Jesus
would suffer and eventually die, they too would experience suffering/s because
Jesus will not be with them anymore to protect them.
Nonetheless, Jesus
told them that if they really want to follow Him they must be ready to suffer
and embrace suffering as well! For its only through suffering that they would
be able to develop deep intimacy with Jesus. We would never develop a personal
encounter with our Lord if we are averse with suffering and if we are enjoying
life’s hedonism.
But reality bites!
We would rather enjoy life than suffer or face hardship and we would rather
enjoy life than truthfully follow Jesus. There are even some rich and even
famous celebrities who chose to commit suicide than face their suffering/s.
It’s only through
our suffering/s and trial/s that Jesus comes to our lives. It’s through our
moments of defeat and persecution that the abiding presence of Jesus is clearer
to us. It’s when we carry our own cross
that we feel that Jesus is walking with us and helping us to carry it. Let us
never be afraid to face our sufferings and to carry our cross no matter how
heavy and difficult. For we will be able to hurdle all of these trials if we
invite Jesus to help us.
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