22ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

Jeremiah 20:7-9

Romans 12:1-2

Matthew 16:21-27

TO FOLLOW JESUS CHRIST...

We often think that to accept Christ automatically makes life easy. That is why many of our contemporaries are attracted to the “prosperity gospel.” Thus, today’s readings remind us that being a Christian or to serve God is not a life free of sufferings, challenges and problems. Becoming a disciple of Christ means embracing the way of the cross and following Jesus each day, as Jesus himself tells us in today’s gospel (Matt. 16:21-27).

The gospel episode follows Peter’s confession of faith that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God (last Sunday). Now Jesus announces his suffering, death and resurrection to his disciples. Peter, not expecting the Messiah-Liberator to make such comments, rebukes him. But Jesus makes it clear to his followers that to journey with him involves self-renunciation, carrying one’s cross daily and following him. Indeed, sometimes, we behave like Peter. But we must know that anyone who wishes to serve God must be prepared for trials, persecutions and challenges.

In the first reading, the prophet Jeremiah expressed his anguish and suffering because of the Word of God. The more he tried not to speak in the name of God because of the persecution and hostility he met, the more he felt an inner urge to speak (Jer. 20:7-9). In the second reading, St Paul urges the Romans to offer themselves as a living sacrifice to God. He also exhorts them saying: “Do not conform yourselves to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good, pleasing and perfect” (Rom. 12:1-2).

Of course, any sacrifice involves the destruction or the letting go of something, usually very important and dear to the one who makes the sacrifice. Thus, to offer ourselves as sacrifice means letting go the behaviours and attitudes that we cherish so much but are not compatible with the Gospel, and then follow the Lord who is leading the way. In fact, he never promised that the journey would be easy; but what he did promise is his unfailing presence even in difficult times. Hence, we need to keep going despite everything. For his mercy and grace are greater than our weaknesses and problems.

May he help us never to lose courage but to follow him in spite of our challenges. Amen

21ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

Isaiah 22:19-23

Romans 11:33-36

Matthew 16:13-20

The Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven

Today’s liturgy presents us with the episode about Peter’s confession of faith, as well as the declaration of Jesus concerning the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. The scene took place in the region of Caesarea Philippi. In a dialogue between Jesus and his disciples, he asked them two questions. The first was very general and impersonal: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” The second is very personal and more engaging: “Who do you say that I am?” Out of divine illumination, Peter replied: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!”

Then Jesus declared to him: “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonas (…) And I tell you: You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church; and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven…” Peter’s authority, symbolized by the giving of the keys was prefigured in the first reading. Through the prophet Isaiah, God entrusted the key of the king’s household to Eliakim after having taken it from Shebna so that he may be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and for the house of Judah.

Thus, God entrusts the keys of his Kingdom to the Church, and in a particular way to Peter and his successors (the popes). Henceforth, the Church is called not to condemn, or to close or lock up, but to open the doors of God’s house, extend her arms to welcome, forgive, raise up, and to bring men and women to God. In fact, when we review the Church’s history in the light of today’s readings, we can see the fidelity of God, the inscrutability of his ways and the depth of his wisdom, as Saint Paul exclaims in the second reading.

As such, let us pray for the Church, especially for the Pope, in whom the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven are entrusted, that it will serve the liberation, healing and salvation of all mankind. May the Lord strengthen our faltering faith and help us to say like Peter: “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” Amen!

20TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME , YEAR A

Isaiah 56:1,6-7   

Romans 11:13-15,29-32  

Matthew 15:21-28

A GOD FOR ALL 

God is for all and not for only a selected group of elites. He cares for all and he wills all to be saved. Thus, today's readings show that this universal dimension of God’s saving plan has been gradually revealed throughout the history of salvation. The prophet Isaiah proclaims that God’s goodness will be manifested also to foreigners, that is, the non-Jews. His covenant will be extended to all nations, for God wants his house open to all the nations. 

In the second reading, St Paul expresses his joy that the pagans had come to faith in Jesus and had a share in God’s mercy. For the rejection of our Saviour Jesus Christ by the Jews resulted in his more rapid acceptance throughout the Gentile world. 

In the gospel, Jesus answers the prayer of a persistent pagan woman and praises her great faith. At first glance, Jesus’ attitude towards the Canaanite woman is strange, surprising and appears as contradictory to what we know about him. First, despites the fact that the woman was shouting and calling Jesus for help, Jesus simply ignored her. Even the disciples intervened not as a result of their compassion for this desperate woman, but because her shouts were causing nuisance to them. 

Second, Jesus affirmed that he had been sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, which suggested that the woman’s problem was of no concern to him. This affirmation does not only contradict what we have heard in the first two readings, but also makes us wonder what would Jesus be doing in the district of Tyre and Sidon, a pagan territory, if he knew he was sent only to the house of Israel. 

What is important to underline is the pagan woman's faith in Jesus, the Son of David. In fact,  Jesus tells her that “it is not fair to take the children’s (Israelites’) food and throw it to the dogs.” These words may be offensive, but they did not discourage the woman. She insists in her prayer and says: “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Her faith and perseverance are indeed impressive and worth emulating. Like this woman, let us never get tired in our requests to God. Even when we feel he does not care or ignore us, let us never give up. May he bless and keep all of us. Amen

19TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME , YEAR A

1 Kings 19:9.11-13  

Romans 9:1-5  

Matthew 14:22-33

DO NOT BE AFRAID! 

God never ceased to manifest his unfailing presence with us in various ways. Thus, in the first reading, he manifests himself to the prophet Elijah on mount Horeb. Out of fear of queen Jezebel, the prophet run for his life.  As he hid himself in the cave, God asked him to go out and stand on the mountain before Him. Then, the Lord passed by. It is noteworthy that God did not reveal himself in the mighty wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire, but in the sound of a gentle breeze. Indeed, God often manifests himself in ways we do not expect. He is a God of surprises.

In the second reading, St Paul expresses his deep anguish and sorrow for the unbelief of his Jewish brethren. Though they had the privilege of being the elected people of God, they failed to recognize Jesus Christ as the Son of God. They failed to believe in him. 

In the gospel, we are presented with the well-known miracle of Jesus walking on the water. In the story, we are told that the disciples were battling with a heavy sea and fighting a strong head-wind. They got more terrified when they saw a “ghost”, not knowing it was Jesus walking on the water. Moreover, as Peter was walking on the water to get to Jesus upon Jesus' invitation, he began to sink because he took off his eyes from Jesus and focused on the force of the wind.

Indeed, sometimes we get frightened because of the problems and difficulties we face in life. Nowadays, the COVID-19 pandemic and its related appalling effects, the insecurity in the world, and many other things are creating fear in us. Many of us are not only battling with the storms of life but are also at the verge of giving up. But in the midst of all this, the voice of Jesus is still echoing: ‘Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.’ Yes, Jesus is able and can save us. All we need is to believe in his unfailing presence and his saving power. Therefore, when we are overwhelmed with the difficulties of life, let us have the courage to cry out to him like Simon Peter: “Lord, save us.” May the Lord grant us the grace to face the storms of life with faith, courage and serenity. Amen

18TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME , YEAR A

Isaiah 55:1-3

Romans 8:35.37-39

Matthew 14:13-21

A GOD OF ABUNDANCE

We serve a faithful and loving God. His love for us is free and invincible. Thus, in the first reading, God invited the people of Israel in exile to come to him and get nourished without pay. He promised them the renewal of his everlasting covenant and of the benefits assured to David. He has promised and he will accomplish.

According to St Paul, in the second reading, nothing can separate us from God’s love manifested to us in Jesus Christ. In the Gospel, we are presented with the account about the multiplication of bread and the consequent feeding of the crowd by Jesus. This miracle represents the Lord’s compassion and generous concern for his people.

For our meditation, three lessons may be drawn from today’s readings. First, like the people of Israel and the crowd, we are hungry and thirsty for something more than physical food and drink. We are longing and yearning for healing, consolation, liberation, justice, fulfillment, etc. We are therefore invited to come to the Lord, who is the only one capable of satisfying our deepest aspirations in life. As the psalmist puts it: God answers all our needs and satisfies the desire of every living being.

Second, the multiplication of bread prefigures the superabundance of the Eucharist, the unique Bread of life. In the Eucharist, God manifests the fullness of his love for us. In the Eucharist, the Lord does not only renew his covenant with us, but also he comes to feed us, to console us and renew our strength for our journey of life.

Lastly, God cares for every one of us, but often he needs our cooperation: “Give them some food yourselves,” Jesus told his disciples. Today, there are many people who are struggling to make ends-meat, people who are thirsty of love and acceptance, people who need compassion and attention. Can we be a sign of God's generous love and concern towards these people? Let us remember that faith without concrete deeds of love and concern for others is fruitless and dead. May the Lord teach us to share so as to have a share in his blessings. Amen.