Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me
Mt 16:21-27
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Today’s Gospel is divided into two parts:
(1) Jesus talks about his suffering and death. Peter reacts negatively to this
proclamation. That earns Peter the rebuke of “get behind me, Satan”; and (2)
Jesus faces his disciples and tells them that the way of the Cross is not only
for him but for those who wish to follow him.
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.
Take note that Jesus said he MUST go,
suffer, be put to death and then be raised. That was part of his Father’s plan
and so he had to do his part. Jesus was always obedient to the Father’s will.
After his encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, he told his disciples
that his bread was to do the will of the Father who sent him. At his agony at
the garden of Gethsemane, he prayed that if it were possible let the cup of
suffering be taken away from him. But he ended his plea with the words, “Yet
not my will but yours be done.” Jesus courageously met the gruesome death of
the cross. That was why on the cross, he was able to tell his Father: “Consummatum
est.” It is finished. Mission accomplished!
But let us not forget the complete
statement of Jesus. He did not only say that he must go to Jerusalem to suffer
and die. He said that after dying on the cross, he would be raised on the third
day. The story of Jesus was not a tragedy. His story does not end in death. It
ends with his resurrection AND ascension into heaven. That’s why he said he would
be RAISED—raised from the death and raised up into heaven.
The story of Jesus ended in victory. And
that is how God wants our own personal story to end. He doesn’t want our story
to end in the tomb. He doesn’t want our death to be the end of our existence.
There is an after-life. There is life beyond the grave. In fact, heaven is
waiting for us for heaven is the place where we belong. What Jesus told his
disciples, he also tells us. “In my Father’s house there are many mansions. If
that were not so, would have I told you that I am going there to prepare a
place for you?” (Jn 14:2)
There are two other teachings for us in
this statement of Jesus.
To gain the glory of his resurrection and
ascension, Jesus had to suffer and die. To arrive at Easter Sunday and
Ascension Day, he had to go through Good Friday. The same rule applies to us. This
rule is behind the quotations: “No pain; no gain. Pag may tiyaga; may nilaga.”
This rule is behind the secret formula of deferred gratification. You pass the
board exams because you had to spend time to review. And review entailed
self-discipline on your part.
Filipino archer Earl Benjamin Yap bagged
the gold medal in the 15th Asian Archery Championships held in China on Monday.
The first time ever for the Philippines. What was his secret? Not only talent
but also the discipline of practice, practice, practice.
Raquel Choa was born into poverty and was
forced to sell candles and sampaguita on the streets as a child. At 12 years
old she was brought by her grandmother here (Laguna) from Cebu to work as a
kasambahay. But she’s no longer here in Laguna. She’s now in Cebu with her
husband and 8 children. She has become rich selling Ralfe Gourmet supplying
chocolates to various high-end local hotels, resorts and airports throughout
the country. During the interview with Karen Davila, she asked Raquel why she
was crying. Her answer: “Hindi ko kasi aakalain na malalampasan ko ang buhay na
mahirap." Her secret? Hard work.
There is a second teaching that we may find
comforting. God the Father did not leave Jesus dead. He is so powerful that he
raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand. Yes, God is so powerful
that he can write straight with crooked lines. God can bring good out of evil.
No evil that men can do can ever frustrate the designs of God. Therefore, if we
but entrust ourselves into the hands of this powerful but tender God, is there
no reason why we should not be able to sleep peacefully at night? Jesus assures
us: “Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to
the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are
counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” St.
Teresa of Avila believed this in her heart. That’s why she was able to give this advice: “Let
nothing perturb you.”
Today’s Gospel reading contains many
lessons for us. There are three teachings which we can bring home with us. (1)
Death is not the end of our existence. Heaven is waiting for us in the
after-life. (2) Easter Sunday and Ascension Day are reached by passing through
Good Friday. That is also the rule of life. Kung may tiyaga; may nilaga. And (3)
Because we have a powerful and tender God, let nothing perturb you.
