Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today’s gospel builds on last week’s readings where Peter acknowledges that Jesus is the son of God. However, in today’s gospel we quickly come to realize that Peter still doesn’t understand the full meaning of what he said last week. This, in many ways, reflects our lives where we are ready to accept Jesus as our savior but we have reservations on fully surrendering to his plans.

The passion and death of Jesus was God’s plan and when Peter spoke against it, Jesus called him Satan. This might seem a bit harsh to us as readers but whenever we ourselves think that our will or our plans are better than God himself we are acting like Satan. It is especially hard for Peter to accept this reality of suffering for Jesus because only last week he has been given the title of being the rock of the church. He can foresee suffering that will come with this responsibility and is not ready to take it.

After this Jesus essentially lays down the playbook that whoever wishes to truly follow him must deny themselves and their desires in this life. We are often so caught up with getting our earthly lives in order, working very hard to reach material milestones which would mean nothing if we don't attain eternal life with God. The Gospel challenges us with this very question by saying that “What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?”. As we reflect on today’s gospel, let us all take time to zoom out and realize that all of our life’s work will amount to nothing if it is not done for the glory of God.

Jude Mathew (Drexel Alum Class of 2023)