In today’s readings, we find a similarity in the life of Jeremiah and Jesus. Jeremiah complains to God about his own experience of doubt, fear, humiliation, and obstacles because of his calling to be a prophet. He is beaten up and locked up by his own friends. In the gospel Peter to whom the Lord entrusted the leadership begins to think the human way when he hears about persecution.
Today Jesus reveals to Peter and to all of us what he really means about the cost of following him. It is all about denying self, sacrificing, taking up the cross and following him.
Truly, these readings offer some challenges to all of us. For he clearly says that following him involves carrying cross for the rest of one’s life. It means a total surrender to the will of God and accepting all pleasant and unpleasant situations that come in life with a positive approach and mindset. It means being ready to let go the things we hold dear to us and sacrificing self-comfort, our personal dreams, possessions, and even our very life if needed. It is difficult to do these things always, but truly taking up our cross daily leads us to perfect discipleship.
By Kulandai Albert csc - Readings: Jer 20: 7- 9; Rom 12: 1–2; Mt 16: 21-27 The normal tendency of humans is to choose the easier way rather than the difficult one. Most often we are attracted to the outward appearance rather than the inner quality of a person or…
By Fr Francis Gonsalves, SJ - Twenty-second Sunday of the Year – Cycle A – August 30, 2020 Readings: Jer 20:7-9; Rom 12:1-2; Mt 16:21-27 “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice” (Mt) Prologue: All the three readings of today speak of sacrifice in one way or the other, with…
Preet Anupam Beck csc - Readings: Jer 20:10-13; Rom 5:12-15; Mt 10:26-33 The readings of the day give me an assurance of the love and grace of God. They give me the confidence that in his great mercy and providential care God will answer my prayers. The first reading speaks…
By Kulandai Albert csc - Readings: Jer 20: 7- 9; Rom 12: 1–2; Mt 16: 21-27 The normal tendency of humans is to choose the easier way rather than the difficult one. Most often we are attracted to the outward appearance rather than the inner quality of a person or…
By Fr Francis Gonsalves, SJ - Twenty-second Sunday of the Year – Cycle A – August 30, 2020 Readings: Jer 20:7-9; Rom 12:1-2; Mt 16:21-27 “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice” (Mt) Prologue: All the three readings of today speak of sacrifice in one way or the other, with…
Preet Anupam Beck csc - Readings: Jer 20:10-13; Rom 5:12-15; Mt 10:26-33 The readings of the day give me an assurance of the love and grace of God. They give me the confidence that in his great mercy and providential care God will answer my prayers. The first reading speaks…
