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 22^nd Sunday, Year A: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

CHRISTIAN LIFE: A CALL TO SWIM AGAINST THE CURRENT OF EVIL     

Readings: Jer 20:7–9; Ps 63; Rom 12:1–2; Mt 16:21–27

Dearest friends, the readings of this Sunday remind us that Christians are called to live in a way that is different from non‑believers. The Christian life demands honesty, generosity, readiness to obey God, and willingness to suffer for the sake of Christ—even when such fidelity brings persecution. Today’s readings show us how to accomplish this mission and remind us that suffering is an integral part of our journey to glory; there is no crown without a cross.

In the first reading, the Church presents the painful cry of the prophet Jeremiah, revealing the suffering he endured because of his obedience to God’s will. Jeremiah was chosen to proclaim God’s message to his people, a mission that brought him into conflict with those who rejected God and refused to hear His word. They persecuted Jeremiah and, on several occasions, attempted to kill him. Yet, despite all he suffered, Jeremiah continued to proclaim God’s message with courage.

Jeremiah’s story offers us an important lesson. Through baptism, we too have received a vocation to preach Christ—through our words and through the way we live. This means condemning what is evil in our families, among our friends, and in society. It means refusing to remain silent in the face of wrongdoing. As Christians, we must not fear speaking the truth or standing for the truth; we should not be afraid of proclaiming Christ to our friends. If we are faithful to this mission, some will laugh at us, hate us, or attack us. But the Church, through Jeremiah’s example, urges us never to abandon God when we face criticism, mockery, or persecution. There is no Christianity without a cross.

In the second reading, Saint Paul gives us another important lesson on how Christians should live, especially in today’s world. Paul advised the early Christians to live in a way that differed both from the Jews and the pagans around them. To do this, they must reject explicitly the behaviour of the world. He said, “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice to God… do not model your lives according to the standard of this world.” Dear friends, these words are addressed to us as well. We live in a world where sin and impurity are promoted as attractive lifestyles by the media and even by governments. Sinners are celebrated as celebrities, and evil, sin, and despicable behaviours are treated as normal and as human rights. Saint Paul reminds us that Christians must not model their lives on these worldly patterns that promote immorality, treat God’s teachings as outdated, and set sin as the standard. Every Christian must reject sin at all costs. We are called to swim against the current of our time, because the current of our time runs against the teachings of God.

In a world full of sin and longing for sinful things, today’s Psalm tells us: “O God, you are my God whom I seek; for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts… My soul clings fast to you.” Our souls should thirst for God, not for sin.

The response Jesus gave to Peter in the Gospel is also a lesson for us. He said, “Get behind me, Satan.” This teaches us that anyone who tries to divert us from doing God’s will takes on the role of Satan and must be avoided. Anyone whose presence leads us away from holiness should not have influence over our lives.

After correcting Peter, Jesus announced three conditions of Christian discipleship: deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me.

Self‑denial means abandoning our own will in order to embrace the will of God; removing selfish thoughts, desires, and tendencies from our hearts and allowing God to fill them with Himself. It also means cleansing our lives of evil habits, enthroning God in our hearts, and sharing His presence with others.

Carrying the cross and following Jesus means being willing to suffer for the sake of Christ. This includes accepting the suffering, insults, and pain that may come from preaching Christ to our friends, or from living a life that differs from theirs because of our faith. It means accepting the sacrifices involved in serving others for Christ’s sake, and the insults that come from being honest, from saying “No” to sin, and from choosing holiness. It even means being considered foolish—or appearing foolish—before others for the sake of Christ.

Peace be with you.

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima