“FIRST IMPRESSIONS”
22nd SUNDAY (A)
August 30, 2026
Isaiah 22: 19-23;
Romans
11: 33-36; Matthew 16: 13-20
By: Jude Siciliano, OP
Dear Preachers:
Sadly, many ordinary people have experienced fraud in one form or another. In fact, being deceived or defrauded seems to be a frequent occurrence for many of us.
For example: a person receives email that appears to come from a credit card company asking them to “verify your account.” Fraud!
Someone pretends to be a police officer, bank employee, or church official and asks for money. Fraud!
There are romance scams, when someone develops an online relationship and is then asked for money because of an “emergency.” Fraud!
Then there are investment scams, home-repair scams, identity theft, “you-owe-money” scams, and so on. All fraud!
We have to develop ways of protecting ourselves from being defrauded by crafty thieves. Unfortunately, in our modern, high-tech world, we almost expect to encounter one form of fraud or another. But-- we do not expect God to defraud us! God is the perfectly reliable One who always has our best interests at heart.
Yet, Jeremiah feels that God has “duped” him. In this remarkable picture of faith, the one God called to be a prophet boldly asks why God has betrayed him – or at least, why it feels that way to this prophet. Jeremiah remembers when God called him: “To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak” (Jeremiah 1:7). He accepted the call and faithfully proclaimed God’s word. Yet what did he receive in return for his faithful service? Ridicule, rejection by the people he was sent to serve, and suffering.
We do our best to live faithful lives, yet we still go through difficult times. Weren’t our prayers and faithful service meant to please God? So, how come life isn’t easier?
Sometimes doing what we believe God is asking of us puts us in conflict, not only with the world outside, but even with those closest to us - friends and family. This leaves us questioning: “Did I get it wrong? Aren’t I doing my best to do God’s will? Then, why has my life gotten so difficult? Where is God in this mess?”
There is a message for us in Jeremiah’s lament. Faithfulness to God does not always make life easier. Many of us know something of Jeremiah’s complaint. We pray, try to live faithfully, practice forgiveness, care for those in need, serve our church community, and stand up for what is right. Then how come some things get worse rather than better? Like Jeremiah, we might feel “duped” and complain, “God, I trusted you. Why did you let this happen to me?”
Isn’t it striking how this faithful prophet does not hide his anger, frustration, and disappointment from God? But, as contradictory as it may seem, complaint can actually be an expression of faith in God. Even though Jeremiah is frustrated and disappointed, he is still speaking to God. He still believes God is there listening to him.
His faithfulness shines forth when Jeremiah says, “If I say to myself, I will not mention him, I will speak in his name no more. But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart….” Jeremiah cannot simply walk away. He shows us what an honest relationship with God can be like. Even when we are frustrated, disappointed, angry, and confused, God does not turn away from us. God can handle our questions, our struggles, and even our moments of doubt.
It is tempting to believe that if we trust God while we are suffering, everything will immediately be okay. But Jeremiah is an encouragement to us in difficult times to stay in conversation with God. Our questions, frustration, and even our anger will not turn God away from us. We may not understand why we are going through difficult moments, but God is faithful and stays with us in the struggle. We are not alone.
The Gospel reminds us that Christianity does not guarantee us an easy life. Jesus promises his disciples that following him will give them life, but he also makes clear that accepting the richer life he offers will involve sacrifice. If we accept the cross, it will not end in death. The cross does not have the last word. Resurrection does!
Peter does not want to hear that Jesus is going to Jerusalem. He knows that Jesus will suffer there. Even worse, if Peter and the others follow Jesus, they too will suffer. Peter cannot imagine that suffering and death could be part of God’s plan.
Don’t we understand Peter’s dilemma? It is ours as well. We want to hear that God will protect us from suffering, loss, and disappointment. But it is clear that Jesus does not offer Peter, or us, an easy road.
Jesus is not saying that we should go out of our way to suffer. But if we forgive, speak the truth, remain faithful to him, and live according to his teachings despite the cost, it is going to hurt us.
Like Peter, I would prefer Christianity without the kind of discipleship Jesus offers. I want a faith that comforts me but does not challenge me. But Jesus asks us the same question he asked his disciples: “What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?”
What would the life Jesus is offering, with its cross, look like now, in this world? It would mean becoming compassionate people, having integrity and strength in our relationships, and being courageous as we speak and act on behalf of the least among us.
What a paradox! We find our true life not by clinging desperately to ourselves, but by giving ourselves away in love.
Click here for a link to this Sunday’s readings: