CCUP-Homily-OrdinaryTime-2016-MonsignorBillian

Taking up our Cross

Monsignor Michael Billian: Today’s Gospel reminds us that the life of a Christian is not an easy one. It’s a life of sacrifice, a life of renouncing one’s self. It is a life of the cross. And sometimes, that’s a tough, uphill and even painful path to walk.

Gospel: Matthew 16:21-27

Jesus began to show his disciples
that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly
from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised.
Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him,
“God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.”
He turned and said to Peter,
“Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

Then Jesus said to his disciples,
“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 will find it.
What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world
and forfeit his life?
Or what can one give in exchange for his life?
For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory,
and then he will repay all according to his conduct.”