THE CROSS OF CHRIST - 09/03/23 (Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time)

From the Gospel according to Matthew

Mt 16:21-27

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 Jesus 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 all according to his conduct."

REFLECTION:

A blessed Sunday! Last week, we saw Peter profess his faith by saying Jesus is the Messiah, the "Son of the Living God". Today, we see him being rebuked by Jesus. Why? Because back then, he still lacked understanding of who truly the Messiah is. He has a worldly perspective and thinks that Jesus, being the Son of God, will rule over all even politically. Indeed, Jesus is King of the Universe and is most powerful of all for He is God. But we must not take away our hearts from His passion. The most important aspect of His Kingship is how He loves us until death on Cross to make Himself King of our hearts.

The suffering comes first before the glory. The Cross is now our way to heaven, and there is no salvation without it. Through Christ's passion, our sufferings now have value. It can be offered to Christ to convert sinners and pardon our sins. Our sufferings are never wasted if we stay with God amidst our trials until the end. Do we know this? Do we believe in this? We must carry our own crosses as Christ did. What are these? Our burdens and problems in life. We must carry them through, with and in Christ. Let go of all doubts and fears in prayer to God and let Him take care of us. Do what is right, know what the sins are, and do not do it. Avoid temptations, and all will be well with us. Even if there may be problems, our God is rock and refuge for He brings peace to the hearts of those who obey Him. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him...” Romans 8:28

Choose wisely, choose God, and do good to others even if they may be difficult and even if we do not receive the praise or applause of the world. What we are gaining is unseen, we shall receive it and taste it when the time comes that God calls us from this life to the next. May we always choose the treasures God offers us which we shall enjoy in eternity, not the fleeting ones on Earth.

Source:

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Saint of the Day – Saint Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor:

https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/september-3-st-gregory-the-great

(Not celebrated as a liturgical memorial this year since it falls on Sunday)

Examination of Conscience and Guide to Sacrament of Confession:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/

Ultimate Catholic Parents Guide:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ls6IcexZAls

Summary and Defense of Catholic Teachings:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth