Happy Labors Day!
Happy Labors Day!
Happy Labors Day!
Every human being likes to be respected, not for any title or accomplishment, but because we are created in the image and likeness of God. Labor Day is when we can be proud of what we do, and respect others for their excellent service. Pope Francis pointed out, "Work is fundamental to the dignity of a person… It gives one the ability to maintain oneself, one's family, to contribute to the growth of one's own nation."
This year before the Labor Day, schools are open, and it seems like we are more active, and society is more engaged and busier. It is opportunity for us to pray for each one of us, our labor, whatever we do. It is also a special moment to pray for our children and youth, those who are back to school and college. Soon we will start the religious education program. For students, their labor is to study well and grow intellectually and spiritually. Let us pray for them, their families, teachers, catechists and so on. At the same time, we, adults should not forget that we are lifelong learners. We have to find time to learn and grow intellectually and spiritually.
Last Sunday we listened to Peter’s proclamation of the faith, “you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This Sunday Christ reveals his mission of redemption that includes terrible suffering, death, and resurrection. This is the first of three Passion predictions. The other two we see in Matthew 17:22-23 and 20:17-19. When Peter objected to Jesus’ prediction of his sufferings, in contrast to the blessing of Peter in 16:17, Jesus rebukes him and associated Peter with Satan, who also tempted Jesus in the dessert (Matthew 4:1). Peter’s confession in16:16, was inspired by the Father, but here his natural instincts object to the suffering of the Messiah. He couldn’t see the spiritual necessity of Jesus’ passion for sinners.
The second part of the Gospel gives the definition of discipleship. If we want to be a disciple of Christ, there are three things which one must be prepared to do: he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow him. It gives us a scale to measure our life. Jesus indicates that suffering and self-denial are central to Christian life (cf. Romans 8:17; Colossians 1:24) In Catechism of the Catholic church 618 says, “The cross is the unique sacrifice of Christ, the "one mediator between God and men". But because in his incarnate divine person he has in some way united himself to every man, "the possibility of being made partners, in a way known to God, in the paschal mystery" is offered to all men. He calls his disciples to "take up [their] cross and follow [him]", for "Christ also suffered for [us], leaving [us] an example so that [we] should follow in his steps." In fact, Jesus desires to associate with his redeeming sacrifice those who were to be its first beneficiaries. This is achieved supremely in the case of his mother, who was associated more intimately than any other person in the mystery of his redemptive suffering.”
In the first reading from the book of Jeremiah which describes the suffering of Jeremiah. He feels deceived and misused by the Lord. So, the suffering is center of the first reading. He is lamenting of his vocation. Jeremiah appears as the prototype of the suffering prophet, persecuted by those to whom he preaches. Last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus asked Peter and the disciples “who do people say the Son of man is?” Part of their answer was some say Jeremiah. Jesus is like a new Jeremiah. Today’s Gospel passage he predicts his sufering, death, and resurrection. Even though Jeremiah lamented, he expressed confidence in God and offers thanks in advance for the deliverance. Catechism of Catholic church 2584 says, “In their "one to one encounters with God, the prophets draw light and strength for their mission. Their prayer is not flight from this unfaithful world, but rather attentiveness to The Word of God. At times their prayer is an argument or a complaint, but it is always an intercession that awaits and prepares for the intervention of the Savior God, the Lord of history.”
Can we accept suffering with a grateful heart? Yes, but it not easy. It is a process. Like Jeremiah, we may lament, but we can make it as prayer like him too. Like Peter, the instinct will direct us to deny or avoid suffering. We can move from this stage with God’s grace to receive healing by sharing our pain with the Lord in the celebration of the Eucharist and other moments of prayers. We don’t have to be perfect when we pray. We can tell the Lord anything and everything. Another help in moving through these stages to arrive at acceptance and grace would be to tell a trustworthy friend. There is a saying “A trouble shared is half a trouble.” If we are a caring Christian community, we should be helping each other to carry our crosses. Let us bring our crosses to the Eucharistic calibration and let us help each other to carry them in our daily life.