Sunday Readings: Jeremiah 20.7-9; Romans 12.1-2; Matthew 16.21-27
“From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.” – Matthew 16.21-22
“You are the messiah, the Son of the living God,” Peter said in last Sunday”s gospel. Peter’s confession of faith is a turning point in Matthew’s gospel. “From that time on” Jesus turns toward Jerusalem and anticipates the conflict that leads to death on a Roman cross.
Many people in Jesus’ time expected a warrior messiah who would restore Israel to independence and power. A messiah who suffers and dies contradicts this popular idea of the messiah’s might and mission. A powerless messiah seems no messiah at all.
In Sunday’s gospel Peter on whose faith the Christians community builds, wrestles with the contradiction. When Peter admonishes Jesus for saying he will suffer, Jesus rebukes Peter. Matthew’s narrative follows the rebuke with a related saying that invites us later Christians to identify with Jesus in his suffering. “Those who want to become my followers let them deny themselves and take up the cross and follow me” (16.24).
The saying anticipates the cost of work and family commitments and calls us to give of ourselves to others day by day. We cook, eat, clean, wash. Young parents exhaust themselves with round-the-clock care for a new baby. The pandemic makes breadwinners fear for their jobs and the means to pay rent or a mortgage. Spouses accompany one another doctors’ appointments, blood draws, and treatments for sickness. Daily we give of ourselves in loving one another.
What did you learn about how to follow Jesus in or family upbringing?