A REASON TO BE KILLED AND A REASON TO BE RAISED.

TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME. YEAR A.
August 31, 2008.
(First reading: Jeremiah 20:7-9) (Psalm 63:2-6, 8-9)
(Second reading: Romans 12:1-2) (Gospel reading: Matthew 16:21-27).


A REASON TO BE KILLED AND
A REASON TO BE RAISED.

Our Lord Jesus Christ was able to predict that he was going to be killed and that he was going to be raised.

The gospel tells us that Jesus "began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priest and the scribes, that he be killed and on the third day be raised" (Matthew 16:21).

Why did Jesus know that he was going to suffer and be killed?
Because he denounced and confronted a world ruled by injustice, oppression, abuse, lies and death. The powers of the world cannot tolerate Jesus who is mercy, justice, peace truth and life.

Furthermore, Jesus was able to predict who were to be his killers: "The elders, the chief priests and the scribes" that is, the groups who have the political and economic power, who dictate the way other human beings are to think and act, who maintain an "order" which is favorable only to themselves, who have the "authority" to destroy anyone who is against their "order".

The powerful groups have accomplices, namely:
- Those who support or remain silent in the face of spreading poverty, misery, aggression, lies, wars and death.

- Those who betray their responsibility to denounce such atrocities.

- Those who hide themselves under the pretext that it is not "licit" for them to become involved in socioeconomic and political affairs.

- Those who directly or indirectly benefit from the spoils of war.

- Those who choose to appease their conscience by closing their eyes to the horrors of war and injustice.

- Those who claim that their work is limited only to the "spiritual" not the "temporal" aspect of humanity.

Saint Paul urges us not to be accomplices of the powers of the world: "Do not conform yourself to this age" (The age of death, injustice, lies and oppression); "I urge you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God" (Romans 12:1, 2).

Jesus knew the deadly retaliation that was to come upon him from the powers of the world; thus, he was able to predict that his execution was inevitable and necessary:
- It was inevitable because the unjust were not about to change their ways; and,

- It was necessary because Jesus does not compromise with evil; because Jesus is determined to carried out the will and works of his Father.

Jesus was not afraid to denounce and confront the powers of the world, so neither should we.
The Book of Jeremiah says: "The word of the Lord has brought me derision and reproach all the day. I say to myself I will not mention him, I will speak in his name no more. But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart" (Jer 20:8, 9).

Why did Jesus know that he was going to be raised?
Because he did the works of his Father, the works of peace, justice, mercy and truth; the works which never die (although the world tries to destroy them). Furthermore, there are people (although very few) who continue doing the Father's works, thus giving testimony that Jesus is risen.