On the Back Porch

Reading, pondering and studying God’s Word is sometimes best done “on the back porch.” Each week we will try to offer something for you and your “back porch time.”

22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A

What We Celebrate

Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Messiah forms the climax to the long section of the Gospel which began in 4:17 with Jesus’ public teaching in Galilee. But in the blink of an eye, the scene changes after Jesus informs the disciples of the fate awaiting the Messiah in Jerusalem. “Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, ‘God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.’” (Mt 16:22) Peter may well feel particularly let down by the idea that his Messiah should prove to be anything less than a success. Perhaps the word of the first reading from the Prophet Jeremiah well match what Peter is feeling: “You duped me, O LORD, and I let myself be duped” (Jer 20:7) But Jesus is simply preparing them for the risk and dangers of picking up the cross of the Kingdom of Heaven. It is a rich and robust gospel. Come and take a moment on the back porch!

Full Text of the Sunday Readings

Detailed Commentary on the Gospel

Image credit: James Tissot, Rétire-toi Satan, c.1890, Brooklyn Museum, Public Domain

The Son of Man

It seems some think of “Christ” as Jesus’ last name or the title he gave himself. But Jesus often referred to himself as the Son of Man. But what does this mean? Explore this fascinating phrase to see its significance.