Reflection

Aug 30, 2020 - 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

In the first reading, Jeremiah becomes angry with God for saddling him with such a thankless task that brings mocking and persecution. In the end, however, Jeremiah concedes that even if he wanted to, he couldn’t deny the Word of God that burns within him.

This week’s Gospel follows directly after last week’s where Peter is raised to the loftiest position in the kingdom after that of Jesus himself. And what do we see this week? He is called “Satan!” Assuming that both of these passages together comprised only several minutes of conversation, Peter must have felt like he was on a roller coaster. Notice that Jesus first talks about the fact that he must suffer. Then, after Peter puts his foot in his mouth—probably quite innocently thinking that he was expressing his love for Jesus—Jesus tells Peter that anyone who would follow him must suffer, too.

We can easily misunderstand Jesus to be saying to Peter, or to us, “No, don’t you get it? Being crowned and celebrated the messianic king would be bad, and suffering an ignominious death is good.” Jesus isn’t really turning the world upside down. He isn’t saying that pleasure is bad and pain is good. He is telling us the unvarnished truth that in a world of sin, love will suffer. And if we choose to love as he did, we suffer as he did. The really revolutionary and revelatory element here is that the reward will far surpass the sacrifice, such that what we call “life” will seem pale next to that new kind of life that love will gain. But, again, we ought not to think that suffering is the point; it is love that gains the prize of glory.

In the first reading, despite his anger, Jeremiah could not deny the Word of God burning within him. What do you think it means to have “the Word of God burning within you?” What steps could take to help you grow into this type of deep relationship with God?
It’s human nature to be afraid of pain and suffering, but Jesus tells us that the more we attempt to avoid our cross, the more painful it will be. How can this be true? Have you experienced this? What is your experience of turning over your pain and suffering to the Lord?
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself.” Give an example of ways you have tried to deny yourself? What was result of your sacrifice? Were there blessings and rewards?