Offering Yourself

Sep 3: Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Is there any comic with a better understanding of theology than Tomics?

On his Facebook page, the author explains, “JOKE-OGRAPHY: Jesus prophesies His death and Peter is distraught to hear it. Peter exclaims, "God forbid!" (his actual line from the Bible), asking God to prevent such a terrible thing from occurring. Since Jesus IS God, and His death is an important part of God's plans, Jesus refuses to forbid it, speaking on the whole Trinity's behalf. This has been yet another wicked-sweet Trinity joke, with Tom Gould.”

Reading 1

Jer 20:7-9

You duped me, O LORD, and I let myself be duped; you were too strong for me, and you triumphed. All the day I am an object of laughter; everyone mocks me.

Whenever I speak, I must cry out, violence and outrage is my message; the word of the LORD has brought me derision and reproach all the day.

I say to myself, I will not mention him, I will speak in his name no more. But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it.

Jeremiah is known for his fiery speeches, but he’s also kind of a whiner, isn’t he? God “tricked” him, because after going on one of his tirades, a temple priest named Pashur had him beaten and put in the stocks.

But the thing is, God never promised smooth sailing. He just gave Jeremiah a job to do—prophesy and preach; Jeremiah is the one who decided to be so abrasive while doing it.

Despite it all, Jeremiah still feels compelled to preach. God’s word burns within him. It’s more important than any mockery or derision from mere man.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
O God, you are my God whom I seek;
for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts
like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary
to see your power and your glory,
for your kindness is a greater good than life;
my lips shall glorify you.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
Thus will I bless you while I live;
lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name.
As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied,
and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
You are my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.
My soul clings fast to you;
your right hand upholds me.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

This Psalm is all about our relationship with God. We can’t really have life without God (although we may sometimes think it). And so it’s right to sing psalms blessing God.

Most notable is the line “for your kindness is a greater good than life;” it was unusual at the time to say anything was more valuable than life, because belief in an afterlife wasn’t as prevalent. It’s one reason why Jesus’ message was scandalous.

Reading 2

Rom 12:1-2

I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.

There’s really nothing we can offer to God but our own lives. Which is to say, not our deaths but the way we live every day. Since everything ultimately comes from Him, everything can be offered to Him, as well.

Alleluia

cf. Eph 1:17-18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
that we may know what is the hope
that belongs to our call.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

It’s possible to lose hope if we don’t see the result of that hope in our lifetimes. But it’s coming.

Gospel

Mt 16:21-27

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.

Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, "God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you."

He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father's glory, and then he will repay all according to his conduct."

Jesus tells us that we have to pick up our crosses to follow Him. Which means, like any good leader, He’s not asking us to do anything He won’t do Himself. He gives us His whole Self.

It’s not really a fair trade to give our meager lives, but He’s willing to take them. We’re being asked a lot, but we’re given eternity in return.