Reflection on Matthew 16:21–27 from “First Impressions” (2008)

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Jeremiah 20: 7-9 / Psalm 63 / Romans 12: 1-2 / Matthew 16: 21-27

---

by Jude Siciliano, OP:

Dear Preachers:

What would you do to prevent a family member or a loved one from getting hurt? If you thought they were about to make a foolish choice wouldn't you speak up and try to dissuade them; try to get them to rethink what they were about to do?

Of course you would, so would I. That's why we can feel sympathy for Peter today. He is doing what we ourselves would do for a friend. He loves Jesus and is trying to get him to stop all this talk about going to Jerusalem where Jesus predicts he will "suffer greatly" and be killed.

What a sudden turnaround the relationship between Jesus and Peter has taken! In the verses immediately preceding today's (they were last Sunday's gospel) Jesus sings Peter's praises ("Blessed are you Simon son of John....") and ready to give him the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Peter will have authority over Jesus' mission. However, today Jesus turns on Peter, calls him Satan and chases him away. Peter has just taken Jesus aside and rebuked him for talking about his suffering and death. In turn Jesus rebukes Peter publicly. What's going on here? Why has Jesus taken such harsh exception to what Peter has said to him in private? And why does Jesus want the disciples to hear the lesson he is teaching Peter -- and us too!

Some Christians think that being religious should improve their spirits, bodily health and even good fortune. I was listening to a very popular televangelist recently. He was preaching to 10,000 people in a stadium-like church. (As a preacher myself, I felt a moment's envy!) He has a reputation for being a great preacher. He certainly is popular. His message was: if we accept Jesus into our lives, we will receive the good things God is "waiting to give us." It was clear that the "good things" he referred to were financial and personal success. He kept referring to the "blessings" God has for us and the rewards believers will receive -- in this life. No wonder he is such a popular preacher. I felt good after listening to him! Apparently a lot of people who listen to him or similar preachers do too. They seem to believe that faith in Jesus will make life easier. The promises also seem to apply to the believer's spiritual life, as if to say, once you have accepted Christ you will be happy and have fewer doubts and anxieties.

Sounds great!

When people have had a recent conversion or gone through the R.C.I.A. process and have been baptized at the Easter Vigil, they frequently are happy and excited about their faith and their church community. As well they should be! But we know that life doesn't leave us feeling that way for long, soon those newly initiated into the church will have their faith tested by the world to which they must return. We know that's true because that is our experience. We treasure our faith and we do what we can to keep it strong. But even the most devout and active Christians know being a Christian is never easy for very long.

Which takes us back to today's gospel. Peter doesn't understand that, while Jesus is the messiah, still he must continue his mission and that will cause him suffering and death when they arrive in Jerusalem. Peter wants the glory and good times he thinks Jesus and his fame will give those closest to him. Peter doesn't want to hear that -- if he really believes in Jesus and follows the way Jesus is indicating, he too will have to suffer and die for his faith. Jesus spells that out quite clearly for Peter and the disciples, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny self, take up [his/her] cross and follow me." I don't think Jesus would fill an auditorium, attract 10,000 devotees and have his own television show with the message he just announced to Peter and the disciples.

Who wants to hear a message like that?!

There was a story and a picture the other day in our newspaper about a truck driver who has a cross painted on the radiator grill of his truck. He believes the cross is the reason he hasn't had an accident in twenty two years of driving. Other people display St. Christopher medals and statues in their cars. Will those symbols prevent them from having an accident? Is that why we decorate our vehicles with them? That truck driver probably didn't have an accident because he was a careful driver -- and lucky.

There's nothing wrong with medals and statues. Nothing wrong with wearing a cross around our neck, either. When I am shaving in the morning and see the cross around my neck, I hope it reminds me of Jesus' invitation to accept whatever suffering and pain come my way because of the choices I must make if I am his follower.

It is clear we can't take the visible cross out of our religion. We can't take it out of our daily consciousness either. We may not suffer on the same kind of cross Jesus did, or be martyred the way so many who have followed him have been. But still, Jesus tells us we must each take up our cross and follow him -- and the cross costs. The cross will cost if we follow what Paul tells us today:

"Do not conform yourselves to this age; but be transformed
by the renewal of your mind that you may discern what is the
will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect."

Because we are Christians, Paul invites us not to accept the values and thinking of the crowd; nor to buy what the media attempts to convince us we simply must have; nor to leave the formation of our opinions and values to our peers; nor to always accept the latest fads. Being a Christian, Paul suggests, means we will live a different life, one guided by the life and wisdom of Jesus who consistently sought to do God's ways in all things -- all the way up to the cross.

From what Paul tells us we can examine our lives and ask ourselves: do we really think having more possessions will make us happy; that the more productive or educated person is a better person; that being with the majority must mean we are right; that we can rid ourselves of our problems though medication or finding the perfect guru; that being a good Christian will mean we will have no problems? If we believe any of these contemporary "truths" -- then we need to memorize today's gospel and see if it helps us change our thinking and acting.