Daily Retreat 08/31/08
2008 Aug 31 SUN: TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Jer 20: 7-9/ Ps 62(63): 2. 3-4. 5-6. 8-9 (2b)/ Rom 12: 1-2/ Mt 16: 21-27
From today’s readings: “You duped me, O LORD, and I let myself be duped.... My soul is thirsting for You, O Lord my God.... Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed.... Whoever wishes to come after Me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.”
The Pricetag
Each of us here has probably seen something lately in the store or shopping mall, perhaps even as recently as on the way to Mass, which really caught his fancy. Maybe it was as simple as an adorable new little Teddy Bear, or a beautiful dress, or fashionable new coat, or an awesome new DVD system, or the hottest new video game, or even the sleekest new sports car on the market. Whatever thing it is we're pining for, they've got it, it's out there sitting, waiting for us, and the only thing that keeps us from our heart's desire - is the pricetag.
Yes, whatever it is that we're after, more often than not we must deny ourselves, because it just isn't worth what we can afford to pay. We shake our heads sadly and mutter, "Nothing, no thing should cost that much."
Today, the Holy Scriptures force us to take a close-up look at the price tag attached to our faith. Will we shake our heads, as so many have done, for this too and say, "Nope. I'm just not willing to pay THAT much." OR will we decide, as did the prophets, the martyrs, and all the saints, that, "by God, the rewards of our faith make it worth even the ultimate price of our very lives!" Let's take a look at that price tag, and let's take a look at what we get for it.
Like us, the prophet Jeremiah agonizes and complains bitterly about the high price of doing the Lord's will. "All day long, I am an object of laughter. Everyone mocks me.... The word of the Lord has brought me nothing but derision and reproach all the day." In addition to all this, Jeremiah suffered imprisonment, all kinds of persecutions, and was often even fleeing for his life. That seems to be a pretty stiff price to pay for being the Lord's servant. But even after considering all this, and even after admitting that part of him wanted just to give up on that wretched prophet's life, Jeremiah decides that the price is worth it - in fact, it is the price of not being a prophet, of stifling God's word, that Jeremiah decides is more than he can afford.
In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul offers no discounts in his salespitch as he points out the exorbitant price of the Christian faith. God wants no cheap animal sacrifices, Paul explains, nor is God looking for your silver or gold. The only thing valuable enough to offer is our selves, our bodies, "a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, our spiritual worship." What a price to pay! How hard it is to not conform ourselves to this age. Is it all worth it? What do you think?
In the Gospel, Jesus announces for the first time the unfathomable price He will pay in bringing His Father's work to completion. It just seems that's too much to pay, so Peter takes Him aside and tries to make Him reconsider. Note that Peter has the best of intentions. One could even say that he is following his conscience. But Jesus clearly points out that it was Satan's work which Peter was doing. Only the Devil tries to tell Jesus what to do. Only the Devil constantly tempted Jesus, and still tempts each one of us, to refuse to pay the price of doing the Father's will.
The Lord's reply puts things back in focus: no disciple belongs in front of the Master, blocking His way. Rather, the disciple should get behind the Master and follow Him.
But what a price Our Lord demands: denial of self, taking up a cross, losing our life for His sake - all this, just to be His disciple! Isn't the price a bit too high? Let's do some comparison shopping: could we get a better bargain by spending our lives on the things of this world? Do we really get the best deal when we offer ourselves in exchange for the Lord Himself, our Bread of Life? Go ahead and shop around all you want, but where else will you find what the Lord Jesus offers: the peace of His presence amongst us, the peace that the world cannot give, the peace that leads to Eternal Life, and nothing less. Remember, the Son of Man will come with His Father's glory, accompanied by His angels. When He does, each of us will get only what he paid for!
Jer 20: 7-9/ Ps 62(63): 2. 3-4. 5-6. 8-9 (2b)/ Rom 12: 1-2/ Mt 16: 21-27
From today’s readings: “You duped me, O LORD, and I let myself be duped.... My soul is thirsting for You, O Lord my God.... Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed.... Whoever wishes to come after Me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.”
The Pricetag
Each of us here has probably seen something lately in the store or shopping mall, perhaps even as recently as on the way to Mass, which really caught his fancy. Maybe it was as simple as an adorable new little Teddy Bear, or a beautiful dress, or fashionable new coat, or an awesome new DVD system, or the hottest new video game, or even the sleekest new sports car on the market. Whatever thing it is we're pining for, they've got it, it's out there sitting, waiting for us, and the only thing that keeps us from our heart's desire - is the pricetag.
Yes, whatever it is that we're after, more often than not we must deny ourselves, because it just isn't worth what we can afford to pay. We shake our heads sadly and mutter, "Nothing, no thing should cost that much."
Today, the Holy Scriptures force us to take a close-up look at the price tag attached to our faith. Will we shake our heads, as so many have done, for this too and say, "Nope. I'm just not willing to pay THAT much." OR will we decide, as did the prophets, the martyrs, and all the saints, that, "by God, the rewards of our faith make it worth even the ultimate price of our very lives!" Let's take a look at that price tag, and let's take a look at what we get for it.
Like us, the prophet Jeremiah agonizes and complains bitterly about the high price of doing the Lord's will. "All day long, I am an object of laughter. Everyone mocks me.... The word of the Lord has brought me nothing but derision and reproach all the day." In addition to all this, Jeremiah suffered imprisonment, all kinds of persecutions, and was often even fleeing for his life. That seems to be a pretty stiff price to pay for being the Lord's servant. But even after considering all this, and even after admitting that part of him wanted just to give up on that wretched prophet's life, Jeremiah decides that the price is worth it - in fact, it is the price of not being a prophet, of stifling God's word, that Jeremiah decides is more than he can afford.
In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul offers no discounts in his salespitch as he points out the exorbitant price of the Christian faith. God wants no cheap animal sacrifices, Paul explains, nor is God looking for your silver or gold. The only thing valuable enough to offer is our selves, our bodies, "a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, our spiritual worship." What a price to pay! How hard it is to not conform ourselves to this age. Is it all worth it? What do you think?
In the Gospel, Jesus announces for the first time the unfathomable price He will pay in bringing His Father's work to completion. It just seems that's too much to pay, so Peter takes Him aside and tries to make Him reconsider. Note that Peter has the best of intentions. One could even say that he is following his conscience. But Jesus clearly points out that it was Satan's work which Peter was doing. Only the Devil tries to tell Jesus what to do. Only the Devil constantly tempted Jesus, and still tempts each one of us, to refuse to pay the price of doing the Father's will.
The Lord's reply puts things back in focus: no disciple belongs in front of the Master, blocking His way. Rather, the disciple should get behind the Master and follow Him.
But what a price Our Lord demands: denial of self, taking up a cross, losing our life for His sake - all this, just to be His disciple! Isn't the price a bit too high? Let's do some comparison shopping: could we get a better bargain by spending our lives on the things of this world? Do we really get the best deal when we offer ourselves in exchange for the Lord Himself, our Bread of Life? Go ahead and shop around all you want, but where else will you find what the Lord Jesus offers: the peace of His presence amongst us, the peace that the world cannot give, the peace that leads to Eternal Life, and nothing less. Remember, the Son of Man will come with His Father's glory, accompanied by His angels. When He does, each of us will get only what he paid for!
posted by FrPitstick | 8/28/2008
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