Sunday’s Readings: Jeremiah 20:7-9; Psalms 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9; Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 16:21-27
FOLLOWING CHRIST
If you’ve ever had an unpleasant but somewhat amusing practical joke played on you, then you have some understanding of how Jeremiah feels today when he tells God “good one—you duped me.” We can almost see him shaking his head with a bit of a rueful smile, but an angry undertone in his voice. In similar fashion, Peter thinks Jesus is “duping” him when Jesus starts to explain that being Messiah means suffering and dying, and being a follower of the Messiah means taking up a cross and doing the same. Jeremiah tries to deny God’s will for him by trying to shut up; Peter—who has just been made the foundation of the church—out and out denies the teaching of Jesus, for which he is named “Satan” today. Fortunately for us, Jeremiah comes to realize that to have the word of God placed in your heart means that it will be futile to try and keep silent, even if it means scorn and derision from those around you. Luckily Peter ultimately returned to the faith he professed in last week’s Gospel, and came to understand our need as baptized followers of Christ to follow in his way, even when it means following him to our very death. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.
SIGUIENDO A CRISTO
Si alguna vez te jugaron una broma desagradable y algo risible a la vez, entonces comprenderás cómo Jeremías se siente hoy cuando le dice a Dios “me sedujiste, Señor, y me dejé seducir”. Ya lo imaginamos sacudiendo la cabeza con una sonrisa desconsolada, pero con el enojo latente en su voz. De igual manera, Pedro piensa que Jesús lo está “embaucando” cuando éste comienza a explicar que ser el Mesías significa sufrir y morir, y ser seguidor del Mesías significa cargar la cruz y hacer lo mismo. Jeremías trata de negar la voluntad de Dios para él al tratar de permanecer callado; Pedro –quien ha sido hecho cimiento de la Iglesia– totalmente niega la enseñanza de Jesús, por lo que hoy es llamado “Satanás”. Por suerte para nosotros, Jeremías se llega a dar cuenta de que tener la Palabra de Dios en el corazón significa que será inútil tratar de permanecer en silencio, aunque ello signifique el desprecio y la burla de los que te rodean. Felizmente Pedro al final volvió a la fe que profesó en el Evangelio de la semana pasada, y llegó a comprender nuestra necesidad, como bautizados seguidores de Cristo, de seguir su camino, aunque signifique seguirlo hasta la muerte. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.