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| From the Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey |
“Who do people say I
am?” Jesus asked His disciples. Interesting question we could ask today. As
we move toward the opening of the Year of Faith, declared by Pope Benedict XVI
to begin on October 13, we can reflect on how we would answer that question.
In Mark’s Gospel (8:27-35), Jesus poses the question and
Peter answers, “You are the Christ.” Peter knows, but turns around and tries to
dissuade Jesus from His mission after Jesus begins to tell them how the Son of
Man must be rejected by the leaders, suffer, and die—but He will be raised up
in three days. Hardly a path that those gathered wanted to hear, I am sure.
Rejection, pain, hardship, all for naught? Who would buy into that invitation?
Peter, unable to contain himself, speaks out, much to Jesus’
dismay. “Get behind Me, Satan,” Jesus
tells Peter, in front of all those gathered. What must Peter have felt? Did he
react out of love for Jesus or out of fear for his own future?
Jesus is clear: "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
and that of the gospel will save it” (Mk 8:35).
This
reading always reminds me of a passage in Thomas à Kempis’ Imitation of
Christ. I am reminded of this passage at every Mass, as I stand as an
Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, offering the Cup. I am in awe of the
reverence many have, taking the chalice lovingly and bringing it to their lips,
delicately taking in Our Lord and Savior. Others however, pass by, nary a nod
in recognition of the Lord who’s Body and Blood was offered for them. Kempis’
passage reflects:
The Imitation of Christ, Book II, Ch. 11: FEW
LOVE THE CROSS OF JESUS
JESUS has always many who love His heavenly
kingdom, but few who bear His cross. He has many who desire consolation, but
few who care for trial. He finds many to share His table, but few to take part
in His fasting. All desire to be happy with Him; few wish to suffer anything
for Him. Many follow Him to the breaking of bread, but few to the drinking of
the chalice of His passion. Many revere His miracles; few approach the shame of
the Cross. Many love Him as long as they encounter no hardship; many praise and
bless Him as long as they receive some comfort from Him. But if Jesus hides
Himself and leaves them for a while, they fall either into complaints or into
deep dejection. Those, on the contrary, who love Him for His own sake and not
for any comfort of their own, bless Him in all trial and anguish of heart as
well as in the bliss of consolation. Even if He should never give them
consolation, yet they would continue to praise Him and wish always to give Him
thanks. What power there is in pure love for Jesus -- love that is flee from
all self-interest and self-love!
Do not those who always seek consolation
deserve to be called mercenaries? Do not those who always think of their own
profit and gain prove that they love themselves rather than Christ? Where can a
man be found who desires to serve God for nothing? Rarely indeed is a man so
spiritual as to strip himself of all things. And who shall find a man so truly
poor in spirit as to be free from every creature? His value is like that of
things brought from the most distant lands.
Let
us contemplate how we react when we have the opportunity to meet Jesus in our
daily encounters, through prayer, works, others, the Word, and the Eucharist.
Will we recognize Him and rejoice or will we pass by, afraid that the cup He
offers is too hard from which to drink? Will we joyfully embrace the full
meaning of discipleship or will we decide the path is too hard and settle for
less than the gift of eternal life offered to those who believe, pick up their
cross, and follow Him? In short, are we willing to lay down our life for the
One who laid His down for us?
Author’s
note: To read the complete text of Thomas à Kempis’ Imitation of
Christ, go to: http://www.leaderu.com/cyber/books/imitation/imb2.html#RTFToC89
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