Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB reflects on the Gospel for 22^nd Sunday of the Year (Matthew 16: 21-27)
(Image: Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB)

I suspect a lot of us can identify with Peter today: we want the very best for our families and friends. When he hears of Jesus speaking of the pain and suffering that going to Jerusalem will bring, Peter, as a friend, urges him not to go forward - he wanted the best for his friend. Only last week, we saw Peter being promoted to the 'top of the class' of the Apostles because of his affirmation of faith! Peter recognised and articulated who Jesus was: ' the Son of the Living God.'

Jesus sees him today not as the ROCK; rather Peter is seen as SATAN, the evil one. He goes from hero to zero in such a short time! It would be much easier for Jesus not to travel to Jerusalem but following Jesus is not about following the 'easy' way. Peter is seen as a 'satani': those ankle breakers or stumbling blocks that are seen, often at the edge of a desert. Jesus wants to see Peter behind him; Peter is the stumbling block to the progress that Jesus needs to make-even though it will cause pain, hurt, suffering and death. However, that journey to Calvary strongly draws us deeper into the bubble of God's love. The martyr of the Auchwitz Concentration Camp, St Maximilian Kolbe, reminds us the 'the cross is the school of love'

Peter has to learn the hard way that following Jesus involves taking up the cross that life offers you. All of us will have to take up crosses we would rather ignore: the illness of a child, the passing of a loved one, the betrayal of someone you trust, being ignored, being pushed 'under the bus' … the list can go on. Indeed 2020 has been a hard cross for so many of us to bear; we have all been in this together, sharing the problems of lockdown and learning to adapt in the very new normal that we are growing slowly into.

However, even in the cross and difficulty of a global pandemic, we have learnt so much: we have grown closer and have built a stronger community. The CROSS, embraced fully, can help each of us to discover our hidden reservoirs of strength and talent. We are called this week to make sure we are not stumbling blocks to others: through our words and actions, we can cause others to fall. Today we are challenged to give up our selfishness and see a bigger picture. Just like last week's Gospel, we need to genuinely seek forgiveness.

Last year I received an amazing gift of a cross from very special friends-it sits on my desk as a constant reminder of what the cross means. Instead of the usual figure of the broken and beaten Jesus, there are three heart symbols at the centre. I like to see it as the ultimate love of the Trinity in the action of Jesus's sacrifice on the cross. Today Jesus reminds Peter, his Apostles and the whole Church that we need to move forward in that spirit of an unconditional love that is all-embracing.

As you gaze of the cross today, just realise how loved and appreciated you are. In this coming week, can you share that love and avoid being a 'satani' or stumbling block to others?