My brothers and sisters in Christ,
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ!
The readings for this 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time invite us to discover that following Jesus Christ is not always easy, comfortable, or popular. Prophet Jeremiah experiences rejection and suffering because he faithfully proclaims God’s Word. Yet he cannot remain silent, for God’s word burns within him like a fire. His struggle reminds us that authentic discipleship sometimes demands courage, perseverance, and trust when the road becomes difficult.
St. Paul gives us the practical response: “to present your bodies as a living sacrifice.” Our Christian faith is not limited to Sunday devotion. We are called to make our entire lives an offering to God – our work, our families, our relationships, our sacrifices, our decisions, and even our service. By allowing God to renew our minds, we learn to discern His will rather than simply following the values of the world.
In the Gospel, St. Peter struggles to understand the mystery of the Cross. He wants Jesus to avoid suffering, but Jesus teaches him that God’s ways are higher than human ways. “If anyone wants to become my follower, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” These words are challenging, but they are also an invitation to authentic freedom. We do not seek suffering, but when trials come, we unite them with Jesus Christ and trust that the Cross leads to Resurrection.
This year, as we celebrate the special Franciscan Jubilee proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV, we are especially encouraged to remember the witness of St. Francis of Assisi. His greeting, “May the Lord give you peace,” calls us to become instruments of reconciliation, simplicity, humility, and love. St. Francis teaches us not merely to admire the Gospel, but to live it radically.
The Franciscan Jubilee also reminds us of the hope expressed in the Transitus (passage) of St. Francis: Death does not have the final word. Jesus Christ does. Through the Cross comes the light.
May we therefore ask ourselves: What must I surrender to follow Jesus more faithfully? Where is God asking me to persevere? May the Holy Spirit renew our minds, strengthen our hearts, and make our daily lives a living sacrifice of love. May the Lord give you peace! Amen.
God Loves You!
~ Fr. Neil