We Are To Be Followers of Christ

September 01, 2026

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August 30, 2026:

Readings:
Jeremiah 15:15-21
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16: 21-27

14th Sunday of Ordinary Time 2026 Homily – Fr. Meneses

Gospels are written not only for the stories we get to read or for their historical significances. Gospels serve as the blueprint or guide on how we are to live. Reviewing last week’s message, the Lord asked the disciples as to who they think are the people’s opinions of who He is. Peter answered, “Thou are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus knew that this was a divine revelation and He said, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”

God has given us great power. Along with this power we have a great responsibility to use it properly. We are to remain humble even if we have been “elevated” by God, just as Christ has elevated Peter when he had that divine revelation. In another instance however, when Jesus told them that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the hands of the elders, Peter “rebuked” the Lord by saying he will not let that happen. Jesus then turned and said to Peter, “Get thee behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” He wasn’t rebuking Peter per se. he was rebuking the spirit that was controlling Peter at that moment. And Jesus gave them one very important option- that we must follow the way of the Cross. He said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” He is literally telling us to pay attention to His Word. When the Lord said, “Follow me,”He meant, we are to be like Him. Not Him but be like Him. Each one of us has been given gifts. The Body has many different parts and one head, Jesus Christ. God wants to have a relationship with His Covenant people. When we follow Him, we do not go ahead of Him. We are right behind Him.

We are not to conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds. In doing so, then we will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- His good, pleasing and perfect will. Serving God is not only on Sundays. It should be all seven days in a week. Like Jesus, who never ceased to do the work of the Father.