One Minute Reflection – 30 August – Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Readings: Jeremiah 20:7-9, Psalms 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 (2b), Romans 12:1-2, Matthew 16:21-27 and the Memorial of Blessed Juvenal Ancina (1545–1604) Bishop
“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…” … Matthew 16:23
REFLECTION – “Responding to Peter’s ignorance as one opposing God, Jesus said, “Satan,” which is Hebrew for opponent.
If he had not spoken to Him from ignorance nor of the living God when he said, “Never, Lord! This must never happen to you!” then he would not have said to him “Get behind me,” as if speaking to someone who had given up being behind Him and following Him. Neither would He have called him “Satan.”
Satan had overpowered the one following Jesus in order to turn him aside from following Him and from being behind the Son of God, to make him, because of ignorant words, worthy of being called “Satan” and a scandal to the Son of God, “not thinking in the ways of God but of humans.” … Origen (c 185-253) (Commentary on Matthew, 12.)
“When we stand in the light
it is not we who illumine the light and cause it to shine
but we are illuminated and made shining by the light…
God grants His blessings on those who serve Him
because they are serving Him
and on those who follow Him
because they are following Him
but He receives no blessing from them
because He is perfect and without need.” … St Irenaeus of Lyons (c 130-c208) Bishop, Martyr
PRAYER – God our Saviour, through the grace of Baptism you made us children of light. Hear our prayer, that we may always walk in that light and work for truth, love and charity, as Your witnesses before men. Dispel from our hearts the darkness of sin and keep us ever watchful for the true light, Christ Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God forever. Blessed Juvenal Ancina, you lived a life of total surrender to God and charity ever watchful to the needs of your neighbour, please pray for us, amen.
AnaStpaul 