From The Pastor

09-03-2023Weekly ReflectionFr. Bing Colasito

With the confession of faith of Peter and Jesus affirming what he said as coming not from man but from His heavenly Father, doubts within the disciples about the true identity of Jesus were answered. His revelation was unexpected: He confirms that He is the Messiah, but a suffering Messiah. Before the disciples start making a grand scheme of revealing Jesus to the people of Israel and make a big announcement of who He is He gives them a picture of His Messiahship and mission. The disciples must remove their preconceived ideas and let Jesus fulfill the mission entrusted to Him by the Father.

Peter not only confessed that Jesus is the Messiah but also that He is the Son of the living God. This concept is not new to the Jews because during the time of David, descendants of the anointed king were reckoned as sons of God (2 Sam 7:14).

One moment, Peter was on a pedestal; the next, he became the stumbling block, an obstacle for Jesus to fulfill His mission. Jesus puts Peter in His proper place to get behind and follow Him. Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. Discipleship demands following the Lord and carrying the cross. Discipleship requires, 1.) Surrender of will, mind, and heart to Jesus. Sometimes, it demands laying down life for the sheep (The Good Shepherd). 2.) Carrying our cross, our suffering, pains, trials, and tribulations as sharing in the passion of Christ. 3.) To be a disciple is to follow His way of life. When we give up everything, even our life, for the sake of the Lord, we possess the true life forever, the life in Christ.

After implicitly admitting His identity, Jesus proceeds to lay out what it means to be a disciple: To take up one’s cross. When Jesus spoke for the first time of His suffering and death in the preceding verses, it was a precursor to a demand that every disciple must follow. He expects them to follow the same road of sacrifice. Where the teacher goes, they must also go. Jesus is sacrificing His life for them; are they willing to sacrifice their life for Him? For those who detach or avoid the call to discipleship in pursuit of worldly achievement at any cost, even the damnation of the soul, Jesus has this to say: What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Do not lose our soul to power, possession, and pleasure. The first two blind people into believing they are in control or invincible. It is hard to keep so much possession without sin. Remember that happiness lies in our hearts and not in our purses. The greatest tragedy in the world is when one loses his soul in the pursuit of the world.

In life, we need to listen to human advice and counsel, but above all, to God in prayer. The secret to a peaceful life is: Do not hate, worry less, live simple, expect a little, give a lot, smile often, love much, pray more, and trust, joyfully trust in God!

Another way of thinking outside the box is to Think God. Learn to see the bigger picture or the grand scheme of God. Give room for the Divine in our thought process, decision making, and future plans. Be silent, that we may hear the whisper of God. (Ralph Waldo Emerson) Listening and thinking like God broadens our horizons and opens our hearts to the divine stirrings. Let us keep our bearings towards the True North and keep tuned to His instructions and plans.

Lord, help us to carry our crosses, even if, especially when it’s not easy.