Shikrot Mpwi - Sunday Synopsis with Fr. Justine J. Dyikuk

Twenty Second Sunday of the Year, A – September 2, 2017

Readings: Jeremiah 20:7-9; Responsorial Psalm Ps 62:2-6,8-9; 

Rom 12:1-2 & Gospel Matthew 16:21-27.

Theme: The Scandal of a Cross-less Christianity! 

Introduction

Friends in Christ, today in our gospel reading (Matthew 16:21-27), Jesus addresses one of the greatest scandals of the Christian faith namely, Christianity of the Cross. Particularly part of the reading states: “If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, le him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Incidentally, in the first reading (Jeremiah 20:7-9), Jesus is foreshadowed as the suffering servant who allows himself to be seduced, overpowered, insulted, derided and imprisoned in his bones. Therefore, it is it crucial to investigative the initial discussion that ensued between Jesus and Peter which necessitated the assertion about renunciation and taking up one’s cross as a criteria for true discipleship. We achieve this, we shall assess this reflection through Jesus’ seeming scandal, his mission and the pastoral implications of preaching a Cross-less Christianity   

Jesus’ Seeming Scandal 

Jesus had made it clear to the apostles that he was destined to go to Jerusalem and suffer grievously at the hands of the elders, chief priests and scribes, be put to death and be raised on the last day. Like the other apostles, Peter could not understand why he who walked on water, cured the sick and even raised the dead to life would walk sheepishly into the hands of his enemies and be killed.

More so, Peter may have thought, did Jesus forget that he is supposed to be the Messiah from the Davidic dynasty who would crush their enemies permanently and establish his reign on earth? The utterance of Jesus was a scandal to them. Since Peter was the leader of the college of apostles, it was necessary that an elder address the mess of a fellow elder in private so that further scandal is not given in public. That is why we are not surprised that Peter took Jesus aside and started to remonstrate with him.

On the one hand, Peter didn’t want Jesus to scandalize the other apostles and those he was addressing - on the other hand, he wanted to be sure that Jesus knew what he was saying – it was much like, are you hearing yourself? Are you sure you’re not out of your mind? Perhaps that was why he said: “Heaven preserve you, Lord – this must not happen to you.” Well, to clear his doubts, Jesus surprised Peter by saying: “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.” Why did Jesus speak the way he did? Well, we shall discover soon.

Jesus’ Mission: A Sweet Scandal

Dearly beloved in Christ, our reflection would not be complete if we don’t consider carefully “my path” which Jesus spoke about – that is, his life, mission, passion and resurrection. It is important to note that Jesus was talking about his passion which his apostles didn’t clearly understand at that time. We shall attempt a contrast between the apostles’ human agenda and Jesus’ divine agenda:

1. While they were thinking that their master would establish an earthly kingdom (Luke 1:32,33) of power where they would like the sons of Zebedee be on the right side and the left side of Jesus (Mark 10:35), Jesus came to establish a heavenly kingdom (Luke 1:28-33).

2. While they were concerned about greatness and being served (Matthew 18:1), Jesus insisted that he came to serve, not to be served and to give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 16:27).

3. While the apostles sort to crush their enemies (John 18:10), Jesus forgave limitlessly and revealed the father’s divine countenance towards humanity (Matthew 18:21-22).

4. While the elders, chief priests and scribes were planning to have him hanged (Matthew 26:3-4), Jesus was planning to take away the sins of the world (1 John 3:5).

5. While the apostles were seemingly thinking of saving money for the poor in the case of Judas Iscariot (Jon 12:6), Jesus praises Mary for preparing him for his passion (Luke 7:44-46).

6. While they were thinking of saving life (Matthew 16:22), Jesus empathically states that he who saves his life would lose it (John 12:25).