Twenty Second Sunday of the Year:A: August 30, 2020

           THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP

First Reading: Jeremiah 20: 7-9

Second Reading: Romans 12: 1-2

Gospel Reading: Matthew 16: 23-27

   *First reading is from the book of Prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah complains bitterly about his painful situation that he is faced with: fierce opposition, insults, reproach and derision from the people. He is despised by everyone because he is speaking for the Lord God. He brings his griefs and pains to the Lord God. Trusting in the power of the Lord God he pleads that with the help of the almighty he be able to continue his mission entrusted to him without fail. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans. Paul urges the Christian community in Rome not to be influenced by the worldly ways of people around them. He pleads with them to live their lives as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. 

Gaining life and losing life

Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. In the first part of the Gospel  Jesus explains to His disciples His impending rejection at Jerusalem and His death on the cross. It was a shock for the disciples and they could hardly accept such a situation. As a result Peter and other Apostles protested and tried to persuade the Lord and insisted that such an event should never happen to Him. Jesus' reaction was very sharp. He told Peter, "Get behind me Satan.". Jesus told him not to be a stumbling block to the plan of God. It is rather surprising that Peter who was praised by the Lord and was assured that he would become the rock on which the Church would be built (Matt. 16:18) turned out to be a stumbling block. What a turn of events! 

In the second part of today's Gospel Jesus tells the disciples the paradox of being His disciples. To be a disciple is to take up one's cross and follow the Lord in all circumstances of life. He further adds that those who want to save their life will lose it and those who lose their life for His sake will find it. This is the paradox that Jesus puts before us everyday of our lives. If we put ourselves at the center of our lives we will fail. But if we put Jesus at the center of our lives we will succeed. This is an important insight that the Lord puts before us to be authentic and genuine disciples.