IF ANYONE WANTS TO BE A FOLLOWER OF MINE…

XXII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Matthew 16:21-27

God’s ways are not our ways. We can easily deceive ourselves, as we are led by false expectations, trying to mould God’s kingdom to our desires for wealth and power. Standing for the Apostles and for ourselves as well, Peter could not accept Jesus’ way, even though he told them that he is the Way, the only way to the Father, from whom comes life and salvation. We always take the easy way as the true way; however, that is the way of selfishness. We choose what is pleasant and gratifying, always guided by a strong need to be the centre and the reference of everything.

When he heard God’s call, Jeremiah felt deeply happy and joyful. He experienced God’s love and put himself at God’s service. However, that service put him at odds with the political and religious leaders of the people. He was rejected and persecuted, and looking backwards to his life, he became aware that "the word of the Lord has meant for me insult, derision, all day long.” And Jeremiah felt torn apart, pulled back and forth: in anguish, he thought of abandoning his ministry, but God’s love burning in his heart would not allow him to do that. 

“I used to say, ‘I will not think about him,

I will not speak in his name any more.’

Then there seemed to be a fire burning in my heart,

imprisoned in my bones.” (Jeremiah 20:7-9)

Jeremiah went through the experience of the true prophet who passes through rejection because of his faithfulness to the ministry entrusted to him. Jesus knew that he was going to have the same fate as the true prophets, and he decided to tell the apostles about that, thus dashing their false expectations of a good life based on false foundations. When Peter tried to dissuade Jesus from the true path, He answered with harsh words: “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.”

Indeed, our place is behind Jesus, walking in his footsteps, following the way that leads to Calvary and to the cross: “If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.”

We may ask ourselves why we have to pass through suffering. Since the very beginning, all those who answer God’s call and put themselves at his service are seen as enemies that should be thrown out of this world. Whenever they decide to remain faithful, they are rejected and considered outcasts, as enemies of the common good.

Let us pray for all Christians who carry their cross like Jesus Christ. May they find the strength to remain faithful to the end, receiving then the reward for their faithfulness.

WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD

XXI SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Matthew 16:13-20

This Sunday’s gospel presents two themes that seem unrelated but are, in fact, deeply connected: the profession of faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, essential to the existence of the Church, and the leadership of the Church entrusted to Peter.

Jesus Christ and the proclamation of his Gospel are the sole reason the Church exists. Without Christ, there is no Church. He is the foundation, the cornerstone, the centre and the apex of the Church. Without Christ, the Church would be no more than a human enterprise or simply an NGO that cares for the people’s well-being. The Church is the assembly, the family and the body of those who believe in Jesus, that is, those who, answering Jesus’ call, have established a deep relationship with him. For them, life is meaningless without Jesus. The believers in Jesus are those who came to the same conclusion as Simon Peter, thus being able to give the same answer to Jesus’ personal question: Who do you say I am? There are many different answers about Jesus: the man from Nazareth, the carpenter, the son of Mary, the preacher, the prophet, a man of wisdom who ended up on the cross. For some, he is a false prophet who misled people and a blasphemer who deserved to die. Jesus was aware of the different opinions people held about him; that is why he asked a direct question to the apostles: And you, who do you say I am? Peter gave the answer that has been the disciples’ answer throughout centuries: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Today, two thousand years later, we repeat the same profession of faith, and we proclaim that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

The second part of the gospel speaks of leadership in the Church. The leadership is needed to uphold this essential profession of faith. Upon his profession of faith, Simon was called to guide the Church and to lead and protect her. He is the rock upon which the Church is built. When we reject this rock, the Church shakes and moves forward in deep and dangerous waters. He was given the keys; that is, the power to lock and unlock, to decide and to rule. The ministry entrusted to him is for the service of the Church. He is called to be the shepherd of the flock, leading it to green pastures and refreshing waters: “Feed my sheep.” (Jn 21:17)

Let us reaffirm our faith and renew our commitment as disciples of Jesus Christ. Let us pray as well for the Pope, who is entrusted with Peter’s ministry, that he may be a good shepherd, giving his life in the service of the sheep.

MY SOUL PROCLAIMS THE GREATNESS OF THE LORD

THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY - Luke 1:39-56

As we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may ask ourselves what it is all about. In simple terms, we celebrate that in Mary, what all of us wait for - salvation- has been completed; thus, as a whole person - body and soul - she shares in the glory of God. Body and soul, she was taken to God, contemplating him face to face and being filled with him to the full. And she is overflowed with the glory of God. The Virgin Mother shares in the glory of her son, that is, Jesus Christ's resurrection. Recognising Mary as the mother of the Lord, Elizabeth pronounced Mary “the most blessed” of all women. And Mary herself, giving thanks and praise to God, acknowledges the great mercies done to her: “Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty has done great things for me.” Near the cross, Mary shared in her son’s passion; taken to heaven, she shares in his resurrection. And we are travelling along the same path: we hope for the time when we will be raised to life, and our bodies will be like the glorious body of the risen Lord.

Painting by Fr. Pedro Chey Dianingama

In the first reading, taken from Revelation 12, a great sign appeared in heaven: “a woman, adorned with the sun, standing on the moon, and with the twelve stars on her head for a crown.” This vision refers to the people of God and to the Virgin Mary as well, who is the model and prototype of the people of the New Covenant. The sun’s intense light shines through, revealing her dignity as the pregnant mother of the Messiah who comes “to rule all the nations with an iron sceptre”. She is crowned with twelve stars that represent the whole people of God. Then, intertwined with this vision, John presents the vision of the dragon: “a huge red dragon which had seven heads and ten horns, and each of the seven heads crowned with a coronet.” The dragon stands for the power of evil, which brings in chaos, destruction and death. He initiates a war against the Messiah, whom he fails to defeat, and then he takes revenge on the woman and all her other children. The theme of the war between the woman and her descendants appears at the beginning of Genesis: 

“I will put enmity between you and the woman,

and between your offspring and her offspring;

he shall bruise your head,

and you shall bruise his heel.” - Gn 3:15

The war still goes on, but today’s solemnity is a celebration of the woman’s victory over the dragon, victory obtained by the King of kings, Jesus Christ. That’s why we sing God’s praise with the Virgin Mary:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord

and my spirit exults in God my saviour”.

“IT IS A GHOST” THEY SAID

 XIX SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Matthew 14:22-33

Crossing the lake during the night, “battling with a heavy sea, for there was a head-wind”, the disciples were exhausted and prone to be misled by their imagination. Jesus had remained behind, taking the opportunity to remain alone and pray. So Jesus was not with them, and that filled them with worries. When Jesus approached  them walking on the lake, they got scared and thought the worst. They did not see Jesus, but a ghost, thus being unable to recognise him. Whenever faced with difficult situations, we can easily misread the situation and be induced into error. Instead of recognising Jesus’ divine presence, they reacted as if they were in the presence of the evil one. And Jesus had to say those reassuring and calming words: Do not be afraid. Courage! It is I! Jesus never comes to torment us. Indeed, he is the Prince of peace who brings relief to our souls.

The danger of being misled, confusing God’s presence with utterly different things, mainly those that destroy our peace, dignity and purpose, is a danger always present. In the first reading, we hear about Elijah who went to Horeb, the mountain of God, to have a deep experience of God. He was confronted with various situations that demanded understanding and perspicacity. Throughout generations, many people and many cultural traditions have understood natural phenomena as divine manifestations. Filled with discernment, Elijah was able to recognise that God cannot be confused with wind, earthquake or volcano (fire). He experienced God in a gentle breeze (1 Kings 19:9,11-13) that soothes the soul and brings peace to the heart.

The gospel presents a second part to the narrative of crossing the lake during the night. Peter addressed Jesus, saying: “Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you across the water.” It seems as if Peter was still doubting that it was really Jesus. He wanted a sign from Jesus. At the same time, he wanted to be like Jesus, doing what Jesus did. And Jesus invited him: Come! Jesus wants us to share in his glory. However, after a while, Peter got afraid, doubted and began to sink. He immediately addressed Jesus with the request that all of us must repeat: “Lord! Save me!”

NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST

XVIII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – Romans 8:35, 37-39

In the gospel of John, during the conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus said a sentence that has been repeated time and again by thousands and thousands of people:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (Jn 3:16-17)

The Son of God came to save us, not to condemn and punish. And he revealed God’s love through his death on the cross. As Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans: “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Ro 5:8). This bond of love is so strong and deep that, according to Paul, nothing can separate us from Christ’s love. Indeed, nothing “can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord”. In fact, it's the assurance of this love that gives us strength to accept sufferings and persecution for Christ. Nothing and nobody is higher, stronger or more powerful than Jesus Christ. Nothing can take his place. Knowing Paul’s life, we understand that Jesus Christ became the only reason for his tireless work as a witness to Christ’s love and to his Gospel. Since the moment when he was encountered by Christ on the road to Damascus, Paul was seduced by His love, and nothing else made sense for him, so he wrote, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20).

The first reading, taken from Isaiah, is linked to this Sunday’s gospel and gives witness to the gratuity of God’s love.

“Oh, come to the water all you who are thirsty;

though you have no money, come!

Buy corn without money, and eat,

and, at no cost, wine and milk.”

This gracious offer comes with a question addressed to all of us: 

“Why spend money on what is not bread,

your wages on what fails to satisfy?”

And the invitation is renewed:

“Pay attention, come to me;

listen, and your soul will live.” (Is 55:1-3).

The gospel presents Jesus feeding a big crowd of people, showing that he acts moved by compassion and love. He comes to fulfil the promise made in Isaiah, giving us the bread of life. As a pre-announcement of the Eucharist, Jesus did the same gestures that he would do in the Last Supper: He “raised his eyes to heaven and said the blessing. And breaking the loaves handed them to his disciples, who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected the scraps remaining; twelve baskets full.” (Mt 14:13-21).

In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus taught us to ask for our daily bread so that, strengthened by that bread, we may pursue and end our journey to our heavenly dwelling.

GOD TURNS EVERYTHING TO OUR GOOD

XVII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – Romans 8:28-30

In this Sunday’s second reading, taken from the letter to the Romans, Paul tells us that God cooperates with us, turning everything to our good, even our failures and our sufferings. There is a Portuguese proverb that expresses it very well: God writes straight in crooked lines. Most of the time, our life is full of twisted lines, so twisted that there is no way out. However, God is able to guide us through those twisted lines towards something meaningful and fulfilling. In Bemba, there is also a proverb full of insight: “Apatebeta Lesa, tapafuka cushi”, meaning where God prepares a banquet, there is no smoke. God’s work in our favour is hidden from us, and we don’t notice it. Then, when satisfied, we are forced to recognise that that satisfaction was given to us; it did not come from our strength and our ingenuity but from God’s grace.

Paul speaks of God’s purpose and design: we must “become true images of his Son so that his Son might be the eldest of many brothers”. In the letter to the Ephesians, Paul says that God’s plan is “to unite all things in him (Christ), things in heaven and things on earth” (Ep 1:10). And this is done by uniting us in Christ. And Paul explains that God does that in four steps:

1. He chose long ago.
2. He chose them with a purpose; that’s an intention of having the image of his Son reflected on them.
3. Then, he called them.
4. After this calling, he justified them; that is, he sanctified them.
5. And they are sanctified to share his glory

To make this plan a reality, God cooperates with us, turning everything to our good. Let us put our trust in the Lord. He never deserts us.

GOD ALONE IS GOOD

XVI SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Matthew 13:24-43

With the psalmist, we must proclaim:

“O Lord, you are good and forgiving,

  full of love to all who call.” (Ps 86)

To the rich man who called Jesus “good teacher”, Jesus answered, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” (Mk 10:18) Indeed, only God is good, completely and perfectly good. And God shows his goodness by caring for everything. The first reading, taken from the book of Wisdom, says exactly that: “There is no god, other than you, who cares for every thing.” His caring goodness reveals his power. God’s power is not oppressive. On the contrary, because He is all-powerful, He can show leniency to all: "Your sovereignty over all makes you lenient to all.” Indeed, “disposing of such strength, you are mild in judgement, you govern us with great lenience.” And this is a lesson to us:

“By acting thus you have taught a lesson to your people how the virtuous man must be kindly to his fellow men, and you have given your sons the good hope that after sin you will grant repentance.” (Wisdom 12:13, 16-19).

Recognising that God alone is good, we must accept that our goodness is always full of cracks and holes. Our goodness is always tainted by and mixed with evil. That’s why we should not judge and condemn others. It is easier to see the speck in the other’s eye, ignoring the log that is in ours (Mt 7:3). In our self-righteousness, we are ready to condemn others and absolve ourselves of our misdeeds.

In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus tells us the parable of the wheat field that has darnel growing together with it. The workers could not understand where it had come from and were ready to uproot the darnel, thus getting rid of it. The owner of the field refused, explaining to the workers that they would not be able to distinguish the darnel from the wheat. As a result, they would do great damage to the crop, confusing the wheat with the darnel, causing a great loss to the owner of the field.

Throughout the centuries, there have been groups and movements that see all those who do not belong to them as evil people who should be eradicated from society so that we remain with a society of the pure, the just and the righteous. In the end, they commit crimes against those they see as outsiders and non-compliant.

The parable is a warning against this attitude, presenting a completely different solution. The darnel will be separated from the wheat – that is, the evil from the good – at the end of times, and that will be done by the angels, not by human beings judging other human beings. And Jesus ended the parable explanation, saying, 'Then the virtuous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Listen, anyone who has ears!”