Scripture Reflection – Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (2-3rd of September)

This week’s gospel follows on from last week when Peter professed his faith that Jesus was the “Messiah, he Son of the living God.” Quite a statement. Jesus qualified this by telling Peter and the Disciples that it was not flesh and blood, but God who had inspired Peter. Then Jesus designated Peter as the foundation on which the Church would be built.

Now Jesus reveals that he must go to Jerusalem where he will suffer at the hands of the leaders of the people. Good men who will make a bad decision. That must have been too much for Peter to absorb and he remonstrated with Jesus the Messiah not walk into a trap. For Peter it is a mistake – for Jesus an opportunity to spell out the reality of discipleship – his with the Father, and ours with Jesus.

The notion of taking up a cross into order to follow Jesus is not a one-off decision. It is an accumulation of decisions that allow each one of us to do it each day – of grasping those aspects of our lives that enhance on our ability to love as Jesus asks of us. Giving up things will only make us feel empty or contribute to our limitations. Taking up the cross of salvation will be fulfilling both spiritually and humanly. It is our invitation to true freedom and a fulsome life.

The disciples of Jesus should present to the world a fully rounded humanity – people aware of the person God has created them to be – positive, serene and wholesome.