There is an oddity in nature (and I
take this from Peter Kreeft). When it comes to rocks or grass or
animals, they don't have to achieve or arrive at their nature. What I
mean by that is, rocks are just naturally rocky. They don't have to
“do” anything-- they just are. Grass is grassy. Cats are cat-like
and so on. But here's the oddity: when it comes to humans, we have
the dignity of human nature, but we may or may not achieve or arrive
at it. By that I mean, a lady may or may not be lady-like. A man may
or may not be manly. So, we are in flux-- we are between becoming who
we are and becoming who we are not.
CS Lewis puts this very nicely: “Every
time you make a decision, you are turning the central part of you...
into something a little different than it was before.” So, for example, in the
Lord of the Rings, Smeagol becomes-- by small or large choices each
day-- Gollum; he devolves. He wasn't supposed to become that. Frodo, on the other hand,
becomes more of who he is deep down: a hero. And it all hinges not on whether they give their lives away (for both give their lives away one way or another)-- but it hinges on what or to whom they give their lives away. More on that in a bit.
For now, we can say that, in the Gospel, Simon faces similar choices. And who will he become? Will he be the man he is supposed to be-- that is, Peter-- or even less than Simon?
* * *
In the Incarnation, we arrive at a very
stark reality: God is concerned with the choices that we make. He
becomes one of us and so enters into the drama of decision-making. In
this, Jesus shows us what the achievement looks like (He is The Way).
And the achievement-- what human nature is supposed to arrive at-- is the glory of the Resurrection. Paradoxically, that achievement comes by way of the Cross: “No greater love does a man have than this.” The more
we embrace the Cross, the more we become who we are.
To this, Peter responds: no. Peter has
different thoughts about what man and the Messiah are supposed to be.
The Messiah is supposed to be a man of power, not the weakness of the
Cross-- “forbid it happen, Lord!” Peter sees the Cross as
failure; he doesn't see the paradox: that death will conquer death,
that Love will conquer evil. Jesus has been a Messiah of paradoxes
when we think about it, really: “the first shall be last and the
last shall be first,” comes to mind. Here, the paradox is: “Whoever
loses his life for my sake will save it.”
In other words, Jesus is showing us
that humanity arrives at what it is supposed to be when humanity
gives itself away as a loving gift. Until we give ourselves away to
God, until we waste our time and our money on Him, until we say as
St. Ignatius did: “Take, Lord, receive all my liberty”-- until we
join with Jesus-- the ultimate God-man-- on the Cross, then we have
not become who we are.
Rocks are rocky, grass is grassy-- but
humans are only arrive at the fullness of their reality when they
finally pick up and do what God did in the fullness of humanity. God
shows us who we are and what we are to do.
* * *
This is why Paul says: “Do not be
conformed to this age...” and “Be transformed by the renewal of
your mind.” In other words, today's culture is not taking on the
ways of Jesus. We must be different. Indeed, oftentimes you can look
at the culture and discover what you are to do by simply doing the
opposite of the culture. Think about it. Is our culture today very
committed? Shoot, what is the biggest commitment of many peoples'
lives? Their phone contract. Or children: does our children embrace
children? Oh sure, have a couple-- but God forbid you have more than
that! Even in parish churches, people give young parents the evil eye
if the child is being child-like.
Yes, we must be the opposite! Do not be
afraid of commitment! Young men and women, say yes to marriage or to
the priesthood or to religious life. Eventually, discernment must end
in commitment. Give your life to Jesus. You are not wasting your
life!
And have children. Be generous. Yeah,
you may say, “gosh, I can't carry this.” Right: that's the weight
of the Cross-- and our Lord is going to help you. You need to reach
that point where you are totally dependent on Him.
Those who are a little older: give your
stuff away. Go ahead and die poor. While all your friends are
hoarding and living it up in retirement, you be the one that leaves a
legacy to the Church and to your family and charities. Give it all
away and don't look back. Enter into heaven with empty hands so as to
receive the real riches that await the saints.
And when everyone else is busy and
enslaved to Pharoah, waste time with God.
See: that's the paradox: what the world
thinks is a waste is actually the greatest treasure. The Cross is the
glory. And when Peter denies it, Jesus says, “Get behind me,
Satan!” That's how important this is. “What does it profit a man
if he should gain the whole world and lose his soul?”
See, this is the reality: we become
possessed by what we possess. And it's either going to be God or not
God. All of us are going to give ourselves away-- but it's either going to be to the world or to God. And only one of those will actually last and bring you eternal joy. (Hint: it's God).
* * *
And, I know: you're afraid. Who isn't?
Even Jesus sweat blood before His crucifixion. But remember: how many
times Jesus has told us: “Be not afraid.” Be not afraid of
entering into the commitment of marriage or priesthood or religious
life. Be not afraid of having many kids. Be not afraid of giving your
life away to God and to neighbor in charity and generosity. Be not
afraid!
Because, as you lose your life for Him,
you will find that you will have gained it. You will have arrived at
who you are supposed to be: Jesus Christ. This is the greatest
achievement-- of God and man. Let us pray now for this grace.
In the Name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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