Pew bulletin
Fr Vijay’s sermon
Follow Me (Matthew 16:21-28)
A man was climbing a steep mountain path with his guide. As the path became narrow and dangerous, the man became afraid. He said, “can you show me the whole way before I take another step?” The guide replied, “you do not need to see the whole road. You only need to follow where I place my feet.”
Many times, this is how we feel in life. We want God to show us everything: how our problems will end what will happen to our family, whether our plans will succeed, and why we are suffering. But Jesus does not always show us the whole road. He says, “Follow me.”
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, suffer, die, and rise again. Peter does not like this message. He wants Jesus to avoid suffering. But Jesus teaches us that the way of discipleship is to follow him, even when the road is difficult. Today’s readings give us three messages.
1. God sees us and calls us
In the first reading Moses sees a burning bush. The bush is on fire, but it is not destroyed. When Moses comes near God calls him by name: “Moses, Moses.” This is important: God knows Moses personally. Moses is not just another person in desert. God sees him, knows his name, and has a purpose for him.
God then tells Moses, “I have seen the misery of my people. I have heard their cry. I know their suffering.” Our God is not far away from our pain. He sees the tears that other people do not see. He knows the worries in our hearts. He knows the struggles in our families, our health, our work, and our faith. Then God says to Moses, “I will send you.” Moses feels unworthy. He asks, “who am I that I should go?” many of us ask the same question. Who am I to help another person? Who am I to speak about Jesus? Who am I to forgive? Who am I to serve in the Church? Who am I to face this difficult situation?
God does not say to Moses, “You are strong enough.” God says, “I will be with you.” That is enough. God’s call does not depend first on our strength. It depends on God’s presence. When we feel weak, afraid or uncertain, we should remember God’s name: “I AM WHO I AM.” God is One who is always present. He was with Moses, he was with Israel, and he is with us today.
2. Jesus teaches us the way of cross
In the gospel, Jesus tells his disciples that he will suffer, die, and rise again. Peter immediately says, “This must never happen to you.” Peter loves Jesus, but he does not understand God’s plan. Peter wants a Messiah who is powerful, successful and victorious. He wants glory without suffering. But Jesus teaches that the cross is part of his mission. Jesus did not come only to perform miracle’s and receive praise. He came to give his life in love for the salvation of the world. Then Jesus says something important: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
To take up our cross does not mean that we should look for suffering. It does not mean that God wants us to remain in injustice, abuse, or harm. Jesus came to bring healing freedom, and life, taking up the cross means choosing the way of Jesus, even when it is not easy.
It means: To forgive when we want revenge, to speak truth when it would be easier to stay silent. To remain honest when dishonesty may bring profit. To serve when we would rather be served. To pray when we feel tired or distracted. To remain faithful when life is painful or uncertain.
The world tells us, “Think only of yourself.” Jesus says, “follow me.” The world tells us, “Keep anger in your heart.” Jesus says, “forgive.” The world tells us, “Save your life for yourself.” Jesus says, “whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” Jesus is not asking us to lose our lives in a meaningless way. He is showing us the way to find real life: life with God, life filled with love, life that lasts forever.
3. We follow Jesus by loving others
St. Paul explains clearly what the life of a disciple looks like. In Romans, he says, “Let love be genuine.” Our faith must not remain only in words. It must be seen in the way we treat people. Paul gives us simple instructions: Love one another. Serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope. Be patient in suffering. Persevere in prayer. Help those in need. Welcome strangers. Bless those who persecute you. Do not repay evil for evil. Overcome evil with good.
This is the Christian life. This is what it means to carry the cross every day. Sometimes we think carrying the cross must mean doing something very big. But often it happens in small and ordinary ways: speaking kindly to someone who is difficult. Calling a lonely person. Helping a neighbor. Listening patiently to a family member. Giving food, time, or support to someone in need. Refusing to gossip. Praying for someone who has hurt us.
This is not weakness. This is the power of Christ working in us. Psalm 105 tells us to “give thanks to the Lord” and to remember the wonderful works he has done.” When life becomes difficult, we should remember God’s faithfulness. God was faithful to Josep in prison. God was faithful to Moses in the wilderness. God was faithful to Israel in slavery. God was faithful to Jesus on the cross. And God will be faithful to us.
Conclusion
Today, Jesus says to each one of us, “Follow me.” We may not see the whole road ahead. We may carry worries, struggles, and questions. But we do not walk alone. Remember these three truths: God sees you and calls you. Jesus shows us the way of the cross. We follow Jesus by living others. Let us trust the God who says, “I will be with you.” Let us take up our cross with faith. And let us overcome evil with good, knowing that the cross is not the end of the story. Jesus died, but he rose again. Therefore, in Christ, hope is always stronger than fear, love is stronger than hatred, and life is stronger than death. Amen.