MILOY SUNDAY REFLECTION

September 3, 2023.
Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

GOSPEL
Matthew 16:21-27

Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders,
the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took
Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to
you.” He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are
thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever
wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever
wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profits
would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in
exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and
then he will repay all according to his conduct.”

REFLECTION
Last Sunday, we saw Peter profess his faith by saying Jesus is the Messiah, the "Son of the
Living God". Today, we see him being rebuked by Jesus. Why? Because back then, he still
lacked understanding of who truly the Messiah is. He has a worldly perspective and thinks that
Jesus, being the Son of God, will rule over all even politically. Indeed, Jesus is King of the
Universe and is most powerful of all for He is God. But we must not take away our hearts from
His passion. The most important aspect of His Kingship is how He loves us until death on Cross
to make Himself King of our hearts.
The suffering comes first before the glory. The Cross is now our way to heaven, and there is no
salvation without it. Through Christ's passion, our sufferings now have value. It can be offered to
Christ to convert sinners and pardon our sins. Our sufferings are never wasted if we stay with
God amidst our trials until the end. Do we know this? Do we believe in this? We must carry our
own crosses as Christ did. What are these? Our burdens and problems in life. We must carry
them through, with and in Christ. Let go of all doubts and fears in prayer to God and let Him take
care of us. Do what is right, know what the sins are, and do not do it. Avoid temptations, and all
will be well with us. Even if there may be problems, our God is rock and refuge for He brings
peace to the hearts of those who obey Him. “And we know that in all things God works for the
good of those who love him...” Romans 8:28

Reflection by F.M.M.J.

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