Its hard today not to pick up a newspaper, magazine, or turn on the TV, and not hear some sort of critique or criticism of the Catholic Church. Our Church is very forthcoming and transparent in who we are and what we stand for and believe in. While it is hard to hear and see these things today, it is nothing new. Jesus told us it would also happen since such attacks have always been the consequence for those who follow his Father.
In today’s Gospel Jesus foreshadows his passion. He tells his twelve disciples, that in Jerusalem he will be handed over to the authorities and will be mocked, scourged and crucified. Jesus was ridiculed, mocked and put to death because he surrendered to His Father’s plan. Now the question is posed to us just as it was to the sons of Zebedee, “Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said they would and they did. So can we? For many, the chalice entails the long routine of living a Christian life, with l its daily sacrifices, disappointments, set-backs, struggles, and temptations. The challenge today is for us to do the same. We can’t be surprised when we find ourselves experiencing the mockery and ridicule that Jesus and his apostles all had to suffer before us. As Disciples of Christ we must be ready to lay down our lived each and every day in the little and big sacrifice required. St. Patrick told us we need to arise through the strength of His Crucifixion with His Burial, for as long as Christ is with me, before me, behind me, in me, beneath me, above me, on my right and left, and in the heart of every person who thinks of him, we can all drink of that chalice. For it is only in suffering with Christ that we might truly follow him in glory.
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