By James Cavanagh

Aug. 31: 22ND Sunday in Ordinary Time
Scripture readings:
• Jeremiah 20:7-9
• Psalm 63:2-9
• Romans 12:1-2
• Matthew 16:21-27

Theme:  Jeremiah was a priest in Jerusalem when the nation was in serious trouble. The northern kingdom had been destroyed by the Assyrians and now the southern kingdom was facing danger from a new quarter: Babylon.  Jerusalem was too small to stand up against the powerful Babylonian empire and so the leaders colluded with Egypt to counter the threat.  The pact with Egypt, however, undermined Israel’s faith. Jeremiah spoke out strongly against the spiritual and moral corruption that accompanied the alliance with Egypt. The leaders refused to listen but Jeremiah would not be quiet. He spoke the truth, but they only mocked him. For Jeremiah conformity with the world meant enmity towards God. St. Paul knew this too. “Do not be conformed to this world,” he cautioned.  Finally, Jesus tells the disciples that persecution awaits those who follow him.  We will be judged on the basis of our fidelity to God’s word and our willingness to follow Christ.
 
Key verse: “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect” (Rom 12:2).

“Catechism of the Catholic Church”:  “Participation is the voluntary and generous engagement of a person in social interchange. It is necessary that all participate, each according to his position and role, in promoting the common good. This obligation is inherent in the dignity of the human person.[RTF bookmark start: }1914[RTF bookmark end: }1914 Participation is achieved first of all by taking charge of the areas for which one assumes personal responsibility: by the care taken for the education of his family, by conscientious work, and so forth, man participates in the good of others and of society. [RTF bookmark start: }1915[RTF bookmark end: }1915As far as possible, citizens should take an active part in public life” (No. 1913-1915).

Pope Benedict XVI: “Empowered by the Spirit, and drawing upon faith’s rich vision, a new generation of Christians is being called to help build a world in which God’s gift of life is welcomed, respected and cherished—not rejected, feared as a threat and destroyed. Dear young friends, the Lord is asking you to be prophets of this new age, messengers of his love, drawing people to the Father and building a future of hope for all humanity” (Homily, WYD, July 20, 2008).

Application: Forsaking the truth and compromising moral principles for the sake of political expediency has always been a danger for Christians. Expressing our moral values can elicit opposition and derision, but we serve neither God nor country by remaining silent. Our actions flow from an encounter with God’s word. “People who take God seriously,” Archbishop Chaput wrote in his new book, “Render Unto Caesar,” “will not remain silent about their faith. They’ll act on what they believe, sometimes at the cost of their reputations and careers.”