Reflection on Matthew 18:21-35 from “Living Space”

LAST SUNDAY’S GOSPEL, from the same chapter as today’s, was about fraternal correction and about the possible necessity to expel a member from the Christian community. We are talking about someone who persists in behaving in a way which is totally at variance with the values of a community whose life vision is based on the Gospel. Such expulsion may be necessary, if the community is to be a credible witness to the Gospel and to be seen as the visible Body of Christ. But such an expulsion need not be permanent, in fact, it is hoped that it will not be. At the first sign of repentance, the offender is to be welcomed back and helped to re-integrate into the community.

So, today’s Gospel is about forgiveness. Peter, who is beginning to learn his Master’s ways, asks how many times he should forgive. Seven times? It sounds pretty generous. But it is not generous enough for Jesus: “Not seven times, Simon, but 77 times,” he says, that is, indefinitely.

A story of two servants

And, to make his point, he goes on to speak of a king and his two servants who owe very differing sums of money. One owes a huge amount to the king and, by rights, should be thrown into a debtor’s prison, until he has paid off his debt – something he was unlikely to be able to do. After passionate entreaties, his debt is wiped out by the king. Then the same servant goes after a fellow-servant who owes him what is relatively a paltry sum. Because this second servant cannot pay up at once, he is thrown into the debtor’s prison. When the king hears about it he throws the first servant to the torturers until he has paid off the debt. The message is perfectly clear: “And that is how my Father will deal with you unless you each forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

God forgives us without limit. If we are to be like him – and that is our calling in life – we must do the same. And it is not just a piece of advice. Our very salvation depends on it.

Vengeance is mine

What Jesus is condemning is made clear in today’s First Reading from the Book of Ecclesiasticus: “Resentment and anger are foul things, and both are found with the sinner…” “He who exacts vengeance will experience the vengeance of the Lord…

“Forgive your neighbour the hurt he does you, and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven…

And note that the writer says that when we forgive a brother or sister, it is MY sin, not THEIR which is forgiven by God.

“If a man nurses anger against another, can he then demand compassion from the Lord?  Showing no pity for a man like himself, can he then plead for his own sins?…

“Mere creature of flesh, he cherishes resentment; who will forgive him his sins?…

“Remember the last things, and stop hating…”

How forgive?

If hate and resentment get us nowhere, what are we to say about forgiveness? Is it just a matter of turning a blind eye to what people do to us or to others? Are we to say, “Oh, never mind! Forget about it!” Can we turn a blind eye to murder, violence, physical abuse, gross dishonesty and corruption, sexual abuse and infidelity…? Not according to last Sunday’s Gospel: If a person remains unrepentant of the harm he/she has done, then “treat him like a pagan or a tax collector”. In other words, boot him/her out of the community.

In the Gospel, forgiveness always includes reconciliation and personal healing. It also includes unconditional love (agape, ‘agaph), the love of the God who makes his sun and rain to fall on good and bad alike. Forgiveness – in the Gospel, as with God — must include not just overlooking the wrong done but in bringing back the wrongdoer. The parables of the good shepherd and his lost sheep, the woman and her lost coin, the loving father and his lost son tell us how God acts – and how we, too, should act.

It is important to note at this point that our faith is not simply a question of good and bad actions but of relationships. Forgiveness is not about undoing evil actions (what is done is done and cannot be undone) but of restoring broken relationships, about healing and reconciliation.

A sacrament for reconciliation

So we speak now, not of the ‘Sacrament of Confession’ or the ‘Sacrament of Penance’ but of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This sacrament is not, as many seem to believe, a sacrament of wiping out our past acts as if they no longer existed. Rather, it is a matter of turning back to, of restoring our relationship with God and also with all those who have been touched (and may still be hurting) from our sins, our failures to love.

And, just as we expect God to accept us back into his loving arms again and again without limit, so he expects us to be ready to do the same for others.

Of course, it can be a long process. Like God, like the father in the parable, we often have to wait patiently, lovingly, hopefully for the turning point of someone who has hurt us.

As the Gospel earlier this week reminded us, those who have hurt us, our “enemies”, most need our prayers, they need God’s blessings to soften their hearts. And, when it happens, we need to be ready to receive back our brother or sister just we expect God to receive us back when we say ‘Sorry’ to him.

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 10, 2023

Living together in Christ

Matthew 18:15–20

[Jesus said to his disciples:] “If your brother sins [against you], go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that ‘every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.

“Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, [amen,] I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

Music Meditations

• “We Are One Body” (John Michael Talbot) [YouTube]
• “The Servant Song” (sung by Maranatha! Vocal Band) [YouTube]
• “O God Beyond All Praising” (Melody by Gustav Holst, sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir) [YouTube]

Opening Prayer

Lord, help me to deal with those with whom I do not agree about some things I really feel are wrong. Help me to see that excluding others, unless they are a threat to my physical or emotional safety, is counter to your spirit. Teach me the way of forgiveness and reconciliation, and give me courage to speak up when I must.

Companions for the Journey

From “First Impressions” by Father Jude Siciliano, O.P.:

We are in a section of Matthew’s gospel in which Jesus is doing community building. So, today’s passage must be seen in the light of its larger context. (Nothing new here for preachers since we are always checking out the context of a scriptural passage.) Ever since chapter 14, Jesus has been instructing his disciples. In chapter 18, his teaching emphasizes and focuses on the community of believers, the church.

At the time Matthew wrote, the church was on its own, no longer a part of the Jewish community and so no longer observing the daily norms and customs of that religious tradition. The community needed guidelines for its life together and in chapter 18 Matthew emphasizes what the important ones are. Faith in Jesus and his teachings are the basis for this new community; believers will have to live in a way that reflects their founder. Since Jesus revealed a forgiving and compassionate God, the life of the community must do the same, if they are to witness to Jesus resurrected and living in their midst. Forgiveness must be the hallmark of the church. (Next week Peter will ask, “...how often must I forgive?” Jesus’ response—in effect, a limitless number of times.)

When someone offends us, we can say, “It’s a big world, I’ll just go my own way and ignore him or her.” The early church was a very small community surrounded by non-believers. Members of the assemblies were easily recognizable and so was how they behaved towards one another. It’s something like a family in a small town, the neighbors quickly learn when there is conflict among family members. So too in the tiny early church; people within and outside the community would know of divisions among the believers. Conflicting members could not go their own way, the whole community would know and suffer the consequences of their behavior. The injuries had to be dealt with through forgiveness and, if it that were done, all would benefit. Outsiders would also notice the community’s behavior and be drawn to it. Today our larger communities might make it possible for conflict to continue, or be ignored, without too much fuss. But an unseen wound is a wound nevertheless and the unity and life of the believers are affected by offenses done by members against one another.

The teaching in today’s gospel sets out a rather elaborate and specific process for how forgiveness and reconciliation are to happen. At first just two people are involved, “If your brother [or sisters] sins against you go and tell....” Notice that the one sinned against must attempt a personal exchange with the offending party. At this stage of the process the privacy of the two is being respected. The directions don’t include explicit formulas or directions on how the conversation is to go. It is hoped the parties can converse reasonably and members can be trusted to know how to behave and what to say. But life doesn’t always work out according to ideals.

If the first step fails, the conversation is to include just one or two more people. We might jump ahead at this point to the closing verse of today’s passage. “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.” We most commonly apply this passage to two or more believers praying together—Jesus will be in their midst. True enough. But back to the context. The verse is in the setting of reconciliation in the community, when “two or three” come together to settle an offense against a member. When a believing community works to settle disputes, Christ is in our midst working to achieve the same goal. That is what makes this teaching more than an “ideal” and keeps it from being dismissed as not practical in “the real world.”

Or, put it another way. Where shall we find the true presence of Christ? In today’s example, he is in our midst when we work together to right wrongs. Forgiveness and justice should characterize the community; if it does, others will recognize something unique about the church and might even recognize Christ alive and active in our midst doing what isn’t “do-able” without him. We believe he is truly with us at this Eucharistic celebration. We reflect on divisions in our local and universal church, as well as the between churches, resulting from offenses and misunderstandings done over the centuries. We invite Christ to be with us as we consciously and deliberately set about righting both large and small wrongs.

Jesus’ instructions continue. If the offender is hardened and refuses to acknowledge the wrong the process moves to another level. “If he/she refuses to listen to them, tell the church.” Here Jesus gives the whole community the power to “bind and loosen”; the power to welcome back a repentant member, but also to discipline an unrepentant offender. The latter is an unfortunate but, it seems, necessary move. Actually, it isn’t so much that the church excludes someone from the community, but that the person guilty of sin against a member has turned his/her back on the community. Since they are obstinate in their sin, they have sentenced themselves to exclusion. If they won’t mend the breach they have caused, the community is forced to state the obvious. The offender must be treated as “a Gentile or a tax collector”—a catch-all phrase used at that time by the Jewish community to mean anyone considered unclean and outside the faith. But remember that Jesus welcomed Gentiles and tax collectors into his company and offered them God’s forgiveness and acceptance. I think that leaves his comment ambiguous.

We sense from this passage and all of chapter 18, that the unity and faithful adherence to Jesus’ teachings are important values for Matthew. Christians are not to live as individuals, but as members of a witnessing and supportive community. When a member has been “sinned” against, others are there for support and to see that rights are wronged.

But what’s the spirit of today’s gospel? Is Jesus just talking about individual offenses and sins? Suppose a race is sinned against, what are we to do? Suppose the poor on the other side of town are being ignored, or deprived of their needs and rights? Suppose a group in our parish is treated as second class members just because they are new arrivals? Suppose women’s voices are ignored? Or the elderly patronized? Suppose young people never hear their lives or issues mentioned in the preaching and public worship? Well...you get the idea.

Further reading:

• Introduction to Matthew Chapter 18 >>
• Matthew chapter 17, >> [usccb.org] much of which has been used for another Sunday or was repeated in another gospel writer

Weekly Memorization

Taken from the gospel for today’s session…

Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am in the midst of them.

Living the Good News

What action can you take in the next week as a response to today’s reading and discussion?

Keep a private journal of your prayer/actions responses this week. Feel free to use the personal reflection questions or the meditations which follow:

Reflection Questions

• When I experience family conflict, how do I resolve it?
  When my friends and I are in conflict, how do I resolve it?
  When some members of my church community and I are in conflict, how do I resolve it?
  In my mind, are any of these “conflicts” truly only solved when people come around to my point of view?
• Do we sometimes forget that to belong to the Church is to belong to a community of brothers and sisters in Christ? Why is this so?
• No one says reconciliation is easy, especially when groups and individuals in the community have been at loggerheads for a long time. If we try to be less confrontational and more guided in prayer, Jesus promises to be with us to bring about reconciliation. What divisions exist in my parish community?
  How can I be an instrument to help a healing process?
• Do we believe that our relationship to Christ depends intimately on how we relate to each other?
  To what extent do we believe that our behavior as individuals reflects on the overall witness that we as a community are called to give?
• Do I feel that as a community we are responsible for each other’s well-being?
  What are some of the difficulties in achieving this?
• Is there a difference between pointing out and working to correct serious moral failures and being the “correctness police” monitoring lapses in manners, irritating habits, or even liturgical practices?
• Have I ever set myself up as the “correctness police” constantly pointing out the mistakes and failures of others?
  Are there people in my family or church community who do so?
• Do I ever shirk my responsibility to speak up when I know something is morally wrong?
• When I confront a wrong or injustice do I approach the other in anger or in charity?
• What are the effects of living in a culture that promotes gossip, scandal, and contemptuous dismissal of those with whom we do not agree?
  What are the effects of living in a culture that relies on legal arguments or intellectual evaluations—that focuses on winning rather than on relationship?
• How difficult is to become involved in another’s life when we see them engage in cruel or self-destructive behaviors?
  Why, however, are some people all too ready to tell people what is the right way to do things or how to behave?
  How do we find the middle ground?
• What is the role of personal prayer in dealing with problematic people?
• Have I ever been part of a church community or another group that developed divisions over some issue or another?
  How did it get resolved?
  To what extent have I sought consensus, or did I work to make sure that my opinion carried the day?
• What is the role of punishment in this passage?
  What is the role of reconciliation?
• How do I feel about Excommunication?
  What is the possible danger of putting someone out of the community who does not agree with me? (think self-righteousness, vindictiveness, the cruelty of isolation, for example)
• Which of the 4-part instruction on dealing with another’s behavior toward me did I have a problem with?
  What are some of the inherent dangers involved in taking others along to reprimand someone?
• What is the value of having others to pray with?
• In the letter of St Paul to the Romans in today’s reading he writes: “Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another, for the one who loves one another has fulfilled the law.” How does this apply to today’s gospel?

Meditations

A Meditation in the Dominican Style/Asking Questions

Adapted from “Sacred Space”, a service of the Irish Jesuits.

Let us do an examination of conscience on love today.
Love is patient. Am I?
Love is kind. Am I?
Love is not boastful. Am I?
Love is not resentful. Am I?
Love does not harbor grudges. Do I?
Love does not judge. Do I?
Love does not rejoice in what is wrong. How do I understand this? Live it?
Love rejoices in the truth. Do I?
Love rejoices in the good fortune of others? Do I?

A Meditation in the Franciscan Style/Action:

From First Impressions, a Service of the Southern Dominican Province:

We sense from this passage and all of chapter 18, that the unity and faithful adherence to Jesus’ teachings are important values for Matthew. Christians are not to live as individuals, but as members of a witnessing and supportive community. When a member has been “sinned” against, others are there for support and to see that rights are wronged.

But what’s the spirit of today’s gospel? Is Jesus just talking about individual offenses and sins? Suppose a race is sinned against, what are we to do? Suppose the poor on the other side of town are being ignored or deprived of their needs and rights? Suppose a group in our parish is treated as second class members just because they are new arrivals? Suppose women’s voices are ignored? Or, the elderly patronized? Suppose young people never hear their lives or issues mentioned in the preaching and public worship? What can you do about it? And when will you start?

Poetic Reflection:

Have you ever met a person in your church who could be described the way Mary Oliver describes someone she knows in the following excerpt from a poem in her collection Thirst?

“On thy Wondrous Works I Will Meditate”

7.
I know a man of such
mildness and kindness, it is trying to
change my life. He does not
preach, teach, but simply is. It is
astonishing, for he is Christ’s ambassador
truly, by rule and act. But, more,

he is kind with the sort of kindness that shines
out, but is resolute, not fooled. He has
eaten the dark hours and could also, I think,
soldier for God, riding out
under the storm clouds, against the world’s pride and unkindness
with both unassailable sweetness and consoling word.

Closing Prayer

Taken from The Eucharistic Prayer II for Masses of Reconciliation; quoted on A Poster for Peace in Memory of September 11, 2001, Liturgy Training Publications

Your Spirit changes our hearts:
enemies begin to speak to one another,
those who were estranged join hands in friendship,
and nations seek the way of peace together.
Your Spirit is at work
when understanding puts an end to strife,
when hatred is quenched by mercy,
and vengeance gives way to forgiveness.

Introduction to Matthew Chapter 18

See this passage on USCCB website >>

* [18:1–35] This discourse of the fourth book of the gospel is often called the “church order” discourse, but it lacks most of the considerations usually connected with church order, such as various offices in the church and the duties of each, and deals principally with the relations that must obtain among the members of the church. Beginning with the warning that greatness in the kingdom of heaven is measured not by rank or power but by childlikeness (Mt 18:1–5), it deals with the care that the disciples must take not to cause the little ones to sin or to neglect them if they stray from the community (Mt 18:6–14), the correction of members who sin (Mt 18:15–18), the efficacy of the prayer of the disciples because of the presence of Jesus (Mt 18:19–20), and the forgiveness that must be repeatedly extended to sinful members who repent (Mt 18:21–35).

Chapter 18: 1-14:

The Greatest in the Kingdom.

1a At that time the disciples* approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

2He called a child over, placed it in their midst,

3b and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,* you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

4c Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5* And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.

Temptations to Sin.

6d “Whoever causes one of these little ones* who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

7* Woe to the world because of things that cause sin! Such things must come, but woe to the one through whom they come!

8e If your hand or foot causes you to sin,* cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter into life maimed or crippled than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into eternal fire.

9And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into fiery Gehenna.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep.*

10f “See that you do not despise one of these little ones,* for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father. [

11]g *

12What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray?

13And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.

14In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.

NOTES: FROM USCCB:

* [18:1] The initiative is taken not by Jesus as in the Marcan parallel (Mk 9:33–34) but by the disciples. Kingdom of heaven: this may mean the kingdom in its fullness, i.e., after the parousia and the final judgment. But what follows about causes of sin, church discipline, and forgiveness, all dealing with the present age, suggests that the question has to do with rank also in the church, where the kingdom is manifested here and now, although only partially and by anticipation; see notes on Mt 3:2; 4:17.

* [18:3] Become like children: the child is held up as a model for the disciples not because of any supposed innocence of children but because of their complete dependence on, and trust in, their parents. So must the disciples be, in respect to God.

* [18:5] Cf. Mt 10:40.

* [18:6] One of these little ones: the thought passes from the child of Mt 18:2–4 to the disciples, little ones because of their becoming like children. It is difficult to know whether this is a designation of all who are disciples or of those who are insignificant in contrast to others, e.g., the leaders of the community. Since apart from this chapter the designation little ones occurs in Matthew only in Mt 10:42 where it means disciples as such, that is its more likely meaning here. Who believe in me: since discipleship is impossible without at least some degree of faith, this further specification seems superfluous. However, it serves to indicate that the warning against causing a little oneto sin is principally directed against whatever would lead such a one to a weakening or loss of faith. The Greek verb skandalizein, here translated causes…to sin, means literally “causes to stumble”; what the stumbling is depends on the context. It is used of falling away from faith in Mt 13:21. According to the better reading of Mk 9:42, in me is a Matthean addition to the Marcan source. It would be better…depths of the sea: cf. Mk 9:42.

* [18:7] This is a Q saying; cf. Lk 17:1. The inevitability of things that cause sin (literally, “scandals”) does not take away the responsibility of the one through whom they come.

* [18:8-9] These verses are a doublet of Mt 5:29–30. In that context they have to do with causes of sexual sin. As in the Marcan source from which they have been drawn (Mk 9:42–48), they differ from the first warning about scandal, which deals with causing another person to sin, for they concern what causes oneself to sin and they do not seem to be related to another’s loss of faith, as the first warning is. It is difficult to know how Matthew understood the logical connection between these verses and Mt 18:6–7.

* [18:10–14] The first and last verses are peculiar to Matthew. The parable itself comes from Q; see Lk 15:3–7. In Luke it serves as justification for Jesus’ table-companionship with sinners; here, it is an exhortation for the disciples to seek out fellow disciples who have gone astray. Not only must no one cause a fellow disciple to sin, but those who have strayed must be sought out and, if possible, brought back to the community. The joy of the shepherd on finding the sheep, though not absent in Mt 18:13 is more emphasized in Luke. By his addition of Mt 18:10, 14 Matthew has drawn out explicitly the application of the parable to the care of the little ones.

* [18:10] Their angels in heaven…my heavenly Father: for the Jewish belief in angels as guardians of nations and individuals, see Dn 10:13, 20–21; Tb 5:4–7; 1QH 5:20–22; as intercessors who present the prayers of human beings to God, see Tb 13:12, 15. The high worth of the little ones is indicated by their being represented before God by these heavenly beings.

* [18:11] Some manuscripts add, “For the Son of Man has come to save what was lost”; cf. Mt 9:13. This is practically identical with Lk 19:10 and is probably a copyist’s addition from that source.

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 3, 2023

The risks and rewards of following Jesus

Matthew 16:21–27

From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.

Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.”

He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life?

“For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct.”

Music Meditations

• “The Summons” (by John L. Bell) [YouTube]
• “What Wondrous Love Is This?” (sung by Fernando Ortega) [YouTube]
• “Kyrie Eleison” (Chris Tomlin) [YouTube]
• “I Need Thee Every Hour” (Fernando Ortega) [YouTube]

Opening Prayer

Lord, you invite us to ask question of our actions, motives and attitudes, to ask ourselves what we expect if we follow your ways. Support us in the times that are not easy, and help us to keep focused on holding you and your ideals close to my heart, even when it hurts to do so.

Companions for the Journey

From “First Impressions” (2011). A service of the Southern Dominican Province:

Last Sunday Jesus blessed Peter and gave him authority over his mission to build the household of God. Things have turned quickly on Peter as now Jesus calls him a devil and pushes him off. The sound of his rejection reminds us of what Jesus said to the devil when he tempted Jesus in the desert, “Away with you, Satan!” You can’t blame Peter for trying to save his master from pain and death. But there is more involved than just a devoted disciple’s desire to protect the teacher he loves and follows. Christianity is not an easy walk, all smiles and good feelings. “Finding Jesus,” or having “Jesus in my heart,” might produce initial buoyancy of spirit. But eventually the fuller picture of what following Jesus entails will set in. In the first reading, Jeremiah was initially attracted by God’s call, but today feels tricked by God because his vocation has caused him much grief. Peter should have known better, after all, he’s following the prophet Jesus. If Peter had reflected over the history of his religion, he would have remembered how prophets got rejected and killed. Now Peter is facing what Jeremiah faced: he is being called to accept a prophetic role and it will cost. “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me.”

You can buy a gold cross in any jewelry store. If you are a rock or movie star you can afford to buy a large jewel-encrusted cross to wear before your adoring followers. But that’s not the kind of cross Jesus invites Peter and us to willingly take up each day. We are not likely to suffer crucifixion as Jesus did, but it’s clear Jesus invites his disciples to sacrifice for his sake and for the preaching of the gospel.

Today Paul points out how we disciples are to live. We ought to offer our bodies “as a living sacrifice.” Christians are not to “conform yourselves to this age....” If we choose to follow Christ we will live lives based on a different set of values from what guides those around us. This choice will cost us—friends, family, popularity and even possessions. We cannot buy into the values of our culture without first passing them under the lens of the gospel. At first Peter does not accept the terms of the relationship Jesus is offering. The emphasis on the pain and sacrifice seems to have blocked his ears to what comes along with the cross—life. Peter will, Jesus promises, gain his life.

After we get beyond Jesus’ casting Peter off, we might notice there’s an offer also being made to Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” It’s an initial rejection, Jesus is also telling Peter to go back where disciples should be—behind and following Jesus. That’s the right place for us too, despite our repeated failures to live up to being Jesus’ disciples. Like Peter, in subtle or more obvious ways, we have rejected the cost of discipleship and admit today our need for another chance to keep trying. We are invited back where we belong—following Jesus. Along with other disciples, we will be guided by Matthew over the next weeks as we listen to Jesus’ teachings. We disciples will notice on our journey with Jesus how he daily accepts his cross; the rejection and slander thrown in his path on the road to Jerusalem. As always, Jesus offers forgiveness for wayward and even obstructing disciples. Jesus sees in us what he saw in Peter, a willingness to do the best we can to follow him, even unto death. And so we join Peter as we get behind Jesus and follow him to Jerusalem.

Further reading:

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

Weekly Memorization

Taken from the gospel for today’s session…

For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Living the Good News

What action can you take in the next week as a response to today’s reading and discussion?

Keep a private journal of your prayer/actions responses this week. Feel free to use the personal reflection questions or the meditations which follow:

Reflection Questions

• Have I ever been in the middle of a project and realized that it was a much bigger undertaking than I imagined and was going to cost me more in time and resources than I was prepared to spend?
• What is my motivation behind engaging in denial of future unpleasant events—either ones I will experience or ones I expect a loved one will experience?
• Have I ever been in denial about some reality of life, or try to “sugarcoat” the truth for someone else?
  How did it work out for me?
• What would you do to prevent a family member or another loved one from being hurt?
• If you thought a beloved one was making a foolish or dangerous choice, would you try to talk them out of it?
• Have I ever been the recipient of someone’s fear for my safety or happiness?
  What form did this fear take?
  How did I respond?
• Why do you think Jesus reacts the way he does?
• Do I secretly believe that faith in Jesus will make life easier?
  Or that it ought to?
  Has there been a time when God’s plan for me did not meet my expectations?
• Do we tend to measure whether we are doing the right thing by how well things turn out?
• Is there a prevailing, but unacknowledged expectation that if we are doing what god wants, then god will “bless” us with having things turn out well?
• Can you name any contemporary people who have spoken out boldly for what they believed,?
  Other than the usual heroes like MLK, Jr, Bishop Romero, do you know of ordinary people who did something similar?
  Was there a cost?
• Do I sometimes in my own religious journey deny the meaning of the cross?
  Why?
  What do I think it means, in real-life terms, to take up my cross and follow Christ?
  What do I have to risk?
• From Daniel Harrington, S.J.:
  Do you ever think of your whole life as an act of worship?
• What does it mean to say that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God?
  Did Peter think it meant something quite different from the reality of Jesus’ life?
• Which of the last two gospel stories seems to be a truer picture of Peter?
  With which one do I most identify? Why?
• In what way do we try to “save our lives”?
  What do we buy, or use, or what comforts do we seek, calling those possessions “life”?
  Is there anything in our current culture—any values which might not pass the “smell test” when compared to Jesus teaching?
• What in my life do I want to “save”?
  What is the cost?
  Is there anything precious to me that I can let go of in order to be able to live more fully?
• I think of one behavior or personal habit I need to lose in order to save my own life as a follower of Jesus, or as a happy person.
• How does the message of this gospel fly in the face of our expectations that following Jesus will bring us an end to our problems?
• How does the Great Commandment fit into the message that those who try to save their lives will lose them?

Meditations

A Meditation in the Ignatian Style/Imagination:

Read Acts 4:1-22. How has Peter’s attitude been changed since the story related in Matthew 16? What do you think Peter expected when he began to follow Jesus? What has happened to him to give him the courage and the strength he displays in the story from Acts? Think of a time in your life when you dreaded something in the future, but then plucked up the courage to face the challenge. What do you think gave you the strength to do what you had to do?

A Meditation in the Dominican Style/Asking Questions

Adapted from “First Impressions” (2008), a service of the Southern Dominican Province:

Do we have a choice; can we reject the invitation of Jesus? Of course we can. What is given to us today is an invitation, not a command. “Whoever wishes to come after me....Whoever wishes to save his/her life....” Jesus wants us to be fully aware of what we are taking on. But we won’t always feel the divine pat on the back for a job well done. Like Jesus, we may just have to keep going, trusting the call we once heard.

Jesus invites us into the same daily journey. What might we lose? In following Jesus, we might

• find ourselves at odds with our family’s fundamental choices and criteria for success
• refuse to practice unethical behavior, even at the risk of our academic advancement or careers
• choose forgiveness against voices telling us to be “realistic” and not naive
• do an honest day’s work, even when the boss is not looking and others are cutting corners and telling us “everyone else does it”
• treat co-workers with respect, despite their job skills, level of education or social status
• welcome the newcomers into our social grouping, and treat them as “one of us”

Jesus invites you into the same daily journey. What might you gain? Only you can answer this question for yourself. Spend some time this week reflecting not only on the risks of discipleship, but also on its rewards.

A Meditation in the Franciscan Style/Action:

From Pope Francis, on the opening of the Synod October 2021:

The Gospels frequently show us Jesus on a journey; he walks alongside people and listens to the questions and concerns working in their hearts. He shows us that God is not found neat and orderly places, distant from reality, but walks ever at our side. He meets us where we are, on the often rocky road of life. God travels the path of history and shares in the life of humanity are we prepared for the advantage of this journey? How do I live as though I am really on this journey with God?

A Meditation in the Augustinian Style/Relationship:

Read this part of chapter 12 of the gospel of John:

Jesus answered: “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.

Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.

Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me. I am troubled now. Yet what should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But it was for this purpose that I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name.”

Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.” The crowd there heard it and said it was thunder; but others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come for my sake but for yours.”

Sometimes we forget that Jesus was human, just as we are, with the same hopes and fears. In this section of John, we see hints of the internal difficulties he faced. It could not have been easy for him, just as impending events are not always easy with us. Share with Jesus your understanding of his human fears and trepidations, his impending loss of his friends and his very life. Put yourself in his place as he stares down the stark realities of his future. Pick a phrase from this passage that speaks to you, or one that you struggle with. Then share with him a time when you suffered for doing the right thing, and share, too, your temptations to sometimes take the easy way out, because it is sometime so very hard follow in his footsteps.

Poetic Reflection:

Read the following poem by Mary Oliver. What is your response?

“The Journey”

One day you finally knew
what you had to do and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice—
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
around your ankles.
“Mend my life!”
each voice cried.
But you didn’t stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do—
determined to save
the only life you could save.

Closing Prayer

Dear Lord, help me to understand that I must let go of all that seems to suggest getting somewhere, being someone, having a name and a voice, following a policy and directing people in “my” ways. This is hard, Lord. Help me to remember that what matters is to love.

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.