22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time--August 30, 2026

As we continue with the teachings of Matthew’s Gospel, we are given an example of what it takes to be a disciple of Jesus. Recall that, because of his profession of faith, that Jesus is the Son of the Living God, Peter is given the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. If we are to remain faithful to this profession of faith, it will be at a cost. Peter cannot yet comprehend this, as he tries to council Jesus that his crucifixion is not to happen. Peter will suffer much in his life as an apostle. He will be imprisoned, beaten, and crucified. The crime he will be guilty of is proclaiming the name of Jesus. Because of his faith - “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God,” - his life cannot deny this truth. He would not deny Jesus just to avoid suffering. This is what Saint Matthew is teaching his church community. In the midst of persecution, suffering and hardship, we must be faithful to Jesus. When we are hungry, when the waters are rough and we are thrown about, when we are confronted with evil itself, we are to remember the example of Jesus and be willing to take up that cross and follow him. The pressure that we face today is so great. It is so easy not to have to take up the cross. Everything that is going on, war, high gas prices, protesting, rioting, racism, hatred, lies, fraud, blasphemy, hatful rivalry and so much more that so many fall into because of these pressures, that the cross to take up is nowhere in sight. If we are to declare our faith, then we trust that the Lord feeds us with the true Bread from heaven. If we declare our faith, then we will trust that Jesus will be there to rescue us if we step out into the rough water. If we declare our faith, then we will not give up asking the Lord in prayer. If we declare our faith, then we will stay close to the Lord and learn from Him every day. If we declare our faith, then when it is not easy to do, in imitation of Jesus, we deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. In the midst of so many problems, struggles, desperate times, we can think that we will never come out of this. But the Lord has always proven true, as so many keep up in their search for Jesus and have not jumped ship. In the troubled waters, unity has been maintained in the bark of Peter. More, and more have been approaching the Sacrament of Confession and more and more are baring the heat to come to Mass, not only on Sunday, but even on the weekdays. I have indeed seen a greater devotion and reverence for the Lord in the Most Holy Eucharist. May the Lord and His Angels continue to protect and defend us in attacks that come to us.

Blessings,

Fr. Steven J. Guitron