Friday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time
Some years ago, there was a popular radio and later TV news commentator who always concluded a surprising tidbit at the end of the program with the words: “And now you know the rest of the story!” First of all, imagine Jesus posing this direct question to his disciples: “Who do you say that I am?” They couldn’t hide behind what others thought. St. Peter, answering from his heart spoke for the group and simply said: “The Christ of God.” This said it all. They saw Jesus as the One the people had long been waiting for. He fit all the criteria.
But then came the “rest of the story.” Jesus shattered their idealized notion of the Messiah by saying that He would first have to suffer terribly, but even more, he would be killed and on the third day be raised. Peter had to step aside with his mindset and accept a totally different kind of Messianic hope. Jesus was predicting public humiliation, torture, execution, and then final transformation through death. This part of the story includes each of us as we choose to follow Jesus to glory but also through the cross. Transformation into Christ happens daily but oh so slowly and in many little ways.
Reflection: What part of my day today contains the dying and rising in Christ?
Reflection by Fr. Daniel Petsche, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections