THESE DAYS, WHENEVER we turn on the news, or open a newspaper, it becomes clear that good news doesn’t sell. Bad news does. This can lead us to think that the world is in a bad way. In many ways it is, though the solution is not necessarily what journalists or politicians would have us believe. None of us like giving or receiving bad news. Good news is much more straightforward, and easy to pass on, especially when it cheers people up. All three of today’s readings focus on delivering difficult or unpleasant news, things that people don’t want to hear. The vocation to be a prophet, like Jeremiah, is not an easy one. Prophets are tasked with telling people the plain, unvarnished truth about themselves and also about God. Their words can be quite difficult, even unpalatable. Most (if not all) of us would rather not hear hard truths, but we need to, if we wish to learn the truth and grow spiritually. 

It, therefore, comes as no surprise that in today’s first reading the prophet Jeremiah is feeling rejected and miserable. He has been prophesying the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, but, because this has not yet happened, he is seen as a fraud. Jeremiah starts to doubt God, and yet he still has a burning fire within himself to call God’s people to repentance. However, when he is mocked, Jeremiah feels let down. From a human perspective this is a  completely understandable response. The prophet, however, has a job to do, he must speak out, whether the people listen or not.

Last week we heard Peter’s declaration that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. Following on from this, Jesus tells His disciples what must happen to Him, explaining that:

He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. (Mt 16:21)

Jesus’ words must have come as something of a shock to His followers. This isn’t what is supposed to happen to the Messiah. So Peter takes Jesus to one side and tells Him off! Like the other disciples, Peter cannot understand what needs to happen. He has forgotten the prophecies like Isaiah 53 which tell of the Suffering Servant. Peter cannot take it in — he does not want Jesus’ prophetic words to come to fruition. This is a very understandable response. We too do not want such appalling things to happen.

Next it is Peter’s turn to be rebuked, when Jesus says to him:

“Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (Mt 16:23)

In just a couple of verses Peter has gone from being the rock upon which the church will be built, to being Satan, the deceiver, the devil, and a stumbling block. In this short time Peter has run the whole length of the spectrum, from getting things right to getting them totally wrong. There are no half-measures with Simon Peter. He jumps in with both feet. Whether he gets things right or not, he is certainly committed, and through this commitment Jesus sees Peter as a future leader. However, on this occasion, His disciple’s inability to understand what Jesus is saying has led him to try and oppose the will of God. Peter, the Rock, has become a stumbling-block, an obstacle, something to trip over. This is because Peter can only see and understand things in human terms. God, however, has something else in store. Jesus’ death on the Cross is inevitable for the simple reason that God loves us that much. However, the Cross is not just for Christ. It is for each and every one of as Christians: we are all called to bear it ourselves.

As believers, we are tasked to take up our Cross and follow Jesus. We should, however, be under no illusion; this is no easy thing. We cannot manage to do this on our own, we have to do it together, as a community, relying upon God, while loving and forgiving each other. All the power, all the wealth in the world, is worth nothing compared to finding true life in Christ. Worldly things cannot save us, they cannot give us eternal life, they cannot wipe clean our sins. Only Jesus can do this. Only in Christ can we have true life — life in its fullness. Only if we discard our old self by following Him, can we discover the wonder of what human life can really be.

Thus the Church, in following Jesus, offers a radical alternative to the ways of selfishness and sin. This alternative has the power to change the world through being conformed to Christ by becoming Christ-like. We can do this together, by living out our faith and encouraging others to do so; by living lives of profound love, something that is difficult, and costly, and wonderful.

Today, through listening to God, in prayer and by the Word of God, the Bible, we are reassured that God loves us, and our Heavenly Father will help us throughout our lives. We are also strengthened by receiving Christ’s Body and Blood in Holy Communion. This is food for our souls, which enables us to be built up in love.

In the Letter to the Romans, St Paul describes what love in action looks like. We are guided as to how to put our faith into practice in our lives. By living out the love and forgiveness which we have received, and by turning from the ways of the world we become members of God’s Kingdom. This world cannot save us, only Christ can do that. Equally, the ways of the world cannot give us true happiness, or eternal life. Earthly promises are false and empty. Only Jesus can give us what we long for: to be united with God forever. Only Christ can transform us, and this transformation lies at the heart of the proclamation of the Kingdom. Only by losing our life can we find it.

Words cannot express just how earth-shattering and transformative Divine Love is. It is a profound mystery, in the fullest sense of the word. God’s love and mercy are greater than anything we can know or imagine. We may keep making mistakes, but God’s love is unconditional. We cannot earn such love, it is freely offered to transform us. Our faith, therefore, is the work of a lifetime. Day by day God’s grace can perfect our nature, if we are humble enough to let God be at work in us.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, let us turn to the Living God, to be fed by Him, and with Him, to have new life in Him, so that He can continue to transform our human nature and follow His example. Let us take up our Cross, and joyfully sing the praises of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. To whom be ascribed all glory, dominion, and power, now and forever. Amen.