22nd Sunday, Ordinary Time

 


TWENTY SECOND SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME


Suppose, for a moment, that you have decided to follow through. You’ve listened to this passage from St. Paul, and you’re figuring it’s time to do more than just listen. You’re going to make an offering of yourself, just as Paul recommends (Rom. 12:1-2). It will mean placing yourself in the Lord’s hands, allowing him to shape you, to transform you. In other words, it will involve a spirit of surrender. 


Assuming you go through with it, what will you be able to expect as an outcome? Perhaps you’re anticipating a variation on the fairy tale formula. You’re recalling how it happened in Cinderella: simply wave a magic wand and suddenly a pumpkin transforms into a coach; a group of mice are transformed into a team of horses; a torn dress is transformed into an elegant gown. You’re essentially hoping for a transformation that will parallel what takes place in the fairy tale—you want something that will be quick, painless, and glorious. 


Our Lord, however, has been revealed as a Lord of the Process. We don’t find the Lord taking a fairy tale approach when we review the pages of sacred scripture. We don’t hear much at all about magic wands. Instead, we hear about people being taken on a journey. At times it will feel like an uphill journey. Consider the case of Jeremiah. He’s clearly not enjoying himself (20:7-10). Furthermore, it appears that Peter’s fortunes have taken a negative turn. He’s being praised by Jesus early on in chapter sixteen. And yet, he goes from gratification to humiliation. Words of praise are soon followed by words of reprimand (16:23). Imagine Peter’s state of confusion, as he absorbs this particularly sharp dose of admonishment. 


But we know that Peter will survive this episode, along with the other upcoming episodes. He will survive and subsequently thrive—blossoming into a living saint, a champion of the faith. And similarly, Jeremiah will survive his particular dark night of the soul. He will be remembered as one of the “major” prophets, joining the ranks of figures like Elijah, Isaiah, Daniel, and Ezekiel. It adds up to an experience of glory, for both Jeremiah and also Peter. 


Glory can be seen as part of the equation. You can expect glory when you submit yourself to the Lord of the Process. Yet, because he is Lord of the Process, this would apparently rule out the quick pace that you are desiring. What about the absence of pain? Jeremiah’s example leaves room for the possibility of pain—we could legitimately use the expression, “growing pains.”  It seems that Peter’s example likewise leaves room for the possibility (probability) of pain. But with each example, we behold the emergence of glory. Whatever the pace, whatever the discomfort, we have the assurance of glory. Offer yourself, according to the pattern of Romans chapter 12, and you will be on the path that leads to glory. As far as paths go, it may include some measure of toil and/or some measure of discomfort…but not a trace of regret. 

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