22ND SUNDAY, YEAR A: REFLECTIONS BY FR JULIAN EKEH
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(Matthew 16: 21-27)
We usually take the wrong side when
sufferings come. We seem to keep God aside in our search for what we call
greener pastures. We fear losing our financial, political and social security.
We fear less of losing God but more of losing what God gives. We forget that
when we have God we have all.
We seem to be on the side of God only when
the going is good . We seem only to believe in God, to believe that the Lord is
good only when we feel that he has settled us. When the present looks uncertain
and the future dark, we are tempted to direct God instead of following him.
In today's Gospel we saw Jesus taking his
disciples from the present into a future journey with him. In their past he had
chosen and called them, they followed but Jesus stops a while to be sure they
are really with him, to be sure they really know where the journey leads, to be
convinced that they are following with the right disposition. But unfortunately,
Peter who represented some other disciples demonstrated that the target is
almost missed.
GOD FORBID!
As Jesus continued to talk about how the
Son of man would suffer, die and be raised, Peter wouldn't allow him to finish.
He took him and began to rebuke him; Lord, this shall never happen to you; dear
child of God certain things must happen to you which does not prove God has
left you. You may experience rejection but it doesn't show God is not by your
side. You may undergo delays, it does not mean God has failed you. There are
times when God forbids your "God forbid". We sometimes forbid God from
doing what he wants in us. That does not show you are on the side of God but
either on your own side, on the side of the devil or on the side of the world.
God will forbid you "say" God forbid to the necessary difficult
situations you must go through before getting to your destination. God will
forbid you say "God forbid" to study in order to pass. God will not
be happy that you do not want to be hard working but wants riches. This shows
where one belongs.
God does not promise favour without labour,
he does not promise crown without cross, his promises are true and sure. The
devil is the one who promises quick money, money doubling, success without
qualifications, becoming without processes.
YOU
BELONG TO CHRIST, REMAIN ON HIS SIDE
Jesus wants to see you by his side always.
Keep him before you, in front of you in all your endeavours. Get behind and
keep following him he will not fail you. The Christian teachings will not
disappoint you. You will not regret abiding by the commandments. Continue to
attend the Holy mass never stop praying. Do not give the devil a try. Do not
listen to your canal self. Pay attention to the spirit of God in you. Be docile
to the direction he gives. Give your problem to him, adore and keep worshipping
him. Never for a moment put yourself first.
LOSE LITTLE AND GAIN MORE
Being on the side of Christ entails losing
to gain. You may feel you are losing today but tomorrow you will gain. You will
gain what you are losing now in training your child, in being a good husband or
wife, in not being a ritualist, in standing for the truth even when it makes
you lose favours now. Do not be ordinary in your thinking by limiting yourself
to here and now. Think of tomorrow and forever, think about your soul, think
about your joy. Do not gain all and suffer loss of your soul.
May the problems we encounter along our
earthly journey never make us lose our destiny. May the grace of God see you
through and deliver you from the various trials and temptations threatening to
snatch you away from God's side.
May we remain on the side of God here on
earth and rejoice eternally in heaven in his bosom for ever and ever. Amen
Happy Sunday (22nd Sunday, Ordinary
Time, Yr A)
Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh
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