Becoming Disciple Of Jesus
Through The Eyes Of The Poor

Homily 06 23 2013
12th Sunday OT - C

View the Readings for this day

In 1989 I spent two months living with the homeless from Oregon to Nebraska.

It was one of the most profound experiences in my life, living with the poor, and preparing for this week's homily.

I began to think of what Jesus meant when he said, "blessed are the poor, they shall see God" and "unless you become as little children you will not enter the kingdom of God."

It is the poor and children that truly call us to service. Others try to exempt themselves from these things.

In my pilgrimage with the homeless I went incognito and learned so much about people who truly live in poverty.

It taught me to be a disciple in a new way.

I decided that it was a blessing in disguise that I had found myself with the poor on whose side I professed to be. I could do theology on my feet as the modern jargon says.

Eventually, in one shelter a former parishioner recognized me and I was glad she didn't yell out, but I heard a voice say, Fr. John, do you need anything?

That former parishioner offered me the very preferential treatment I had decided I should avoid if I was to follow Christ - and I confess I really liked the offer!

The expectation of exemption is one of the most deep-rooted misconceptions about religion.

Deep down most people think - neurotically, of course - that to be religious is to become exempt from the ordinary sufferings of life.

Because they are prayerful they think God owes it to them to smooth the way for them. They think that they can become a master without being a disciple.

When they do this they are misreading the constantly repeated message of scripture.

In the Gospel reading today we see this struggle taking place in the apostle Peter.

Jesus gave the disciples a sort of mid-term exam. He asked them, "Who do people say that I am?"

He was interested in the signs of the times, what people in general were thinking.

Then he narrowed the question down and asked, "But you, who do you say that I am?"

Peter answered in a moment of brilliance, "You are the Christ of God."

In Matthew's account we are told that Jesus gave Peter high praise and immediate promotion on account of this answer...

"Blest are you, Simon son of Jonah! No mere man has revealed this to you but my heavenly Father. I for my part declare to you, you are the 'rock,' and on this rock I will build my church, and the jaws of death shall not prevail against it. I entrust to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven."

Before Peter can exult in his promotion Jesus brings a new ingredient into the story:

"If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow me." He then told them about going to Jerusalem where he would suffer. At this Peter remonstrated, "God forbid that such a thing ever happen to you."

Then Jesus turned on Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan, you are not judging by God's standards but by human ones."

These, probably the hardest words in the whole Gospel, were addressed to Peter when he wanted to be exempt from the human lot of suffering.

He wanted to be a master without being a disciple.

"Leave self behind and follow me."

These words echo in my life often.

Suffering was part of the lot of Jesus. To follow him we must be willing to carry the cross.

The strange thing is that when we stop seeking exemption from suffering, the suffering becomes easier to bear!

jjl

Home › Homilies › Homily 06 23 2013