Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

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."

It can be so tempting to avoid sufferings and difficulties at all costs. However, our faith isn’t one of avoidance. Our hope isn’t to steer clear of trials and tribulations so we can live a long and peaceful life in this world. Our love isn’t based on doing good to those who do good to us or caring for others only when it is convenient. No, our faith is one of acceptance of the sorrows that come with consecrating ourselves to God. Our hope is to live a life grounded in God so when we die we will find a seat that the Eternal Banquet. Our love is one that opens our hearts to so wide we choose to know, love, and serve Him in spite of the sword which will pierce our hearts. Our faith, hope, and love give us the strength to follow in Jesus’ footsteps, engage the world with a spirit of confidence in God, and bear our crosses without compliant.

What temptations do we suffer from when it comes to Jesus’ call to pick up our crosses and follow him? How can we increase our faith, hope, and love so we have the spiritual strength to walk the ways of our own spiritual passions? Are we willing to engage the world with full confidence that God will lead us where we need to be?

O Lord, help us to think as you do.

Amen.