GOSPEL
Jerusalem Bible © 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd and Doubleday & Company Inc.
Jesus began to make it clear to his disciples that he was destined to go to Jerusalem and suffer grievously at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, to be put to death and to be raised up on the third day. Then, taking him aside, Peter started to remonstrate with him. ‘Heaven preserve you, Lord;’ he said ‘this must not happen to you.’ But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.’
Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘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. What, then, will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life? Or what has a man to offer in exchange for his life?
‘For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and, when he does, he will reward each one according to his behaviour.’
(Matthew 16:21–27)
DID YOU KNOW?
Points of interest and Catholic lore
- This text marks the beginning of the fourth major section of Matthew’s Gospel, which follows Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem and death.
- The word Satan originally meant ‘adversary’ or ‘accuser’. Later it came to mean personified evil. Here Jesus uses it figuratively of Peter, who does not yet understand the meaning of Jesus’ mission.
- The name Peter comes from the Latin word for ‘rock’. In last week’s gospel, Jesus named Peter as the rock on which the Church would be built. In this week's gospel, that rock has become a stumbling block in Jesus’ path!
EXPLORING THE WORD
This gospel contains the first of three predictions of his passion and death that Jesus makes along his journey to Jerusalem. Matthew tells the story of that journey across the next four chapters of his gospel.
Peter is highly disturbed by the predictions of Jesus’ suffering, but is soundly rebuked. The contrast between this text and the gospel of the previous week is stark! In the immediately prior episode, Peter is praised and rewarded for his sublime affirmation of faith, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ In this text, Peter’s lack of understanding, both of what that means and of Jesus’ mission, causes him to be ridiculed as an obstacle to the divine mission.
While we may have some sympathy for Peter in wanting to spare Jesus the pain and suffering he predicts, what is at issue is Peter’s failure to see that the cross is part of the plan and that discipleship will also involve the cross. Taking up the cross, however, will result in great reward and ultimate vindication when the time of judgment comes.
- What cross do you bear?
- How well or otherwise do you cope with this?
- Is the cross and the suffering of Christ an obstacle for you?
MAKING CONNECTIONS
Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer
- What are the obstacles to Christ in your path?
- Are they of your own making or blocks put in place by circumstances or other people?
- What crosses do you bear for the sake of Christ?
- Share a story of a cross you have had to bear. Did it change you? In what ways did you become a stronger person?
- Has there been a time when you chose to face hardship or pain rather than avoid it?
- Do you know others who are burdened by a cross at the moment? Try to lift a burden from someone this week.
- Throughout this week, recite a verse from today’s psalm (62:8–9):
My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God
For you have been my help;
In the shadow of your wings I rejoice.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand holds me fast.
My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God
SHARING THE TRADITION
A closer look at the Scripture of the day, to see how it makes more explicit God’s word to us through the teachings of Jesus Christ
Over the long history of the Church, there have been many people who have taken up the cross of Christ by giving their lives for their faith. They are the martyrs of the Church and have a special place of honour. The first martyrdom recorded in the Scriptures is that of Stephen (Acts 6:8–8:3). Over recent weeks, we have explored the stories of some people who are modern-day martyrs of the Church. While, luckily, not all those who take up the cross are called to give their lives, many still shoulder the burden of faith in the face of adversity. One such person was St Damien of Molokai, a Belgian priest of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, who volunteered to work as a missionary chaplain among the lepers of Hawaii at the leper colony on Molokai. Here he laboured for many years until he contracted the disease and finally died of it in 1889. Other Christians, like Mother Teresa, have chosen to live out their faith in difficult situations.
- Discuss some of the ministries of the modern Church that are difficult ones or may be seen as burdensome by those outside the Church.
- Identify local church agencies that specifically work with people who carry a burden.
- Are there people in your parish who could share with the group their work in the world, such as those who work with agencies dealing with the marginalised or the poor? with refugees and asylum seekers? with homeless youth or victims of violence? Perhaps you could contact a church agency engaged in this work.
SYMBOLS AND IMAGES
The cross is the central symbol of the Christian faith. It reminds us immediately of the death of Jesus, through which he won eternal life, but it also reminds us of our own struggles and sufferings. ‘We all have our cross to bear,’ said St Rose of Lima, a young South American saint of the 17th century. ‘Apart from the cross, there is no ladder to heaven.’ What do you think she meant by this?
LIVING THE WORD
Practical ideas for group leaders to employ in connecting Scripture and daily life, with suggestions for music and environment
- In what ways is your community able to assist people who carry a burden? Is there more that can be done? Can catechumens be introduced to these ministries?
- The focus for prayer should be the cross. A suitable song could be ‘O Jesus crucified’ (GA 334) or ‘Behold the wood’ (GA 333). Pray for all people who carry a burden. Pray for those who work with them to alleviate their load. Conclude with the prayer of exorcism in the RCIA at §94A.