|
First
Reading
|
Psalm |
Epistle |
Gospel |
| Jeremiah 15:15– 21 |
Psalm 26:1–8 |
Romans 12:9-21 |
Matthew 16:21–28 |
I always look forward to the Peanuts cartoon in the funny paper section. I suppose someday they will show their age. But as yet they seem as fresh as the year they were first created. I recall that one that showed five year old Sally announcing to her older brother Charlie Brown, "I think I have discovered the secret of life.....You just hang around until you get used to it." Discipleship is a lot like that, too.
People were attracted to Jesus because he let them know that God valued them; he taught that because every one of us has worth, it is wrong to degrade one another, or to degrade ourselves. People were also attracted to Jesus because after affirming that they were important and worthy of love, he offered them a task, a task with meaning, a task bringing lasting satisfaction to those who engaged in it.
If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves", The type of denial Jesus refers to, is neither rejection of the self, or of things for the self. After all, one of the criticisms leveled against Jesus is that he went to banquets. He enjoyed parties and eagerly accepted invitations to celebrate with people. He wasn't an ascetic, only eating dry crusts of bread and tepid water. Denial is the setting aside of the consuming and grasping forces that have the power to overpower us. Denial is understanding what is healthy for us and what is poison. Yes, Jesus could agree, be your own person, keep in touch with what anchors you, and feed your soul and body nutritious food. People who respect themselves, have fun and enjoy things, as well as have boundaries and exercise self-control.
On the other hand, rejection of self is in fact running away, and a refusal to be all the person God created. It is painfully obvious that running away is epidemic in our culture. "If only I could afford that perfume, I would not have to be myself, but more like that wonderful cool person in the ad", "If I could buy that sports car, I would be more attractive than the person I am and more like the driver in the photograph." We all know people who are desperately caught-up in constantly seeking to be someone else, who deep down inside haven't heard God say "You are valued, you are loved, and you don't have to be running in every direction the wind blows, to be someone else." A disciple understands that acceptance of oneself and acceptance of others are like the epoxy and hardener that together form the bond.
Jesus said, "Let people who want to become my disciples, 'take up their cross and follow me.'" Discipleships are, in one sense, all volunteers. Jesus doesn't want any force conscripts. The call to be faithful is a voluntary decision. Taking up the cross doesn't mean being taken hostage. It may mean showing up when you have plenty of excuses to run away. It may mean facing suffering or extraordinary hardship. But because God values you, it does not mean showing up so that others can simply abuse you or beat up you.
"For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake and the sake of the Gospel will find it" becomes a warning to those who have chosen the road of discipleship. We all know groups who are completely caught up in an effort to be saved. They have become prisoners to some group concept of salvation. Just as Jesus doesn't want conscripts, He doesn't want any prisoners either. Again, the good news is that God loves us, invites repentance, and is eager to forgive. Those who are always afraid of whether or not they are saved, are in effect running away from themselves or from the grace of God. They are never sure if they are worthy enough, or perhaps they are reluctant to trust that God means what the Good News says.
I think Jesus would have enjoyed the Peanuts comic strip too. Jesus would have recognized his disciples in the trials of Charlie Brown as the neighborhood team baseball manager. For part of the secret of life is not in running away from oneself or from God, but in hanging around, accepting the grace given us and others, and showing up until you get used to it. Like Charlie Brown, Lucy, and all their friends, examples of discipleship are lived out in the timing and balance of everyday life.
And
I offer this to you in the name of the Living God, Amen.
