<p><em>The Psalmist reminds us that our God is a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105). But where is that path leading? Todays reflection reminds us that we have nowhere else to find Love and no one we must meet to guide us. Instead wherever and with whomever we go we are always and only in search of our very selves.</em></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>September 3 2023: Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle A</strong></p><p>Jeremiah 20:7-9</p><p>Psalm 63:2 3-4 5-6 8-9</p><p>Romans 12:1-2</p><p>Matthew 16:21-27</p><div><div class=titan__email-divider>&nbsp;</div></div><h3><strong>Finding Our Souls Finding Ourselves<br></strong></h3><p><em>A reflection by Jon Schum<br></em></p><p>From that time on</p><p>Four simple words that introduce todays gospel passage but are often left out of the lectionary. From <em>what </em>time on? you may ask.&nbsp; The evangelist is pointing to a pivotal point in the ministry of Jesus who had just posed the question Who do you say that I am? (last Sundays gospel). Without hesitation Peter replied You are the Chosen One of the Living God an exalted title at that and thus the first among the twelve to declare faith in Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus in turn blesses Peters faith and suggests great things can be built upon it.</p><p><em>From that time on</em> Jesus began to explain to the disciples that he must go to Jerusalem&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Jesus makes explicit reference to his suffering and death at the hands of the religious establishmentand his being raised on the third day (the first of three predictions of the Passion). Yet Peter afresh from his bold statement of faith is scandalized by such talk and admonishes Jesus God forbid that any such thing happens to you! But there is no room for debate here. Peter has become the <em>satan</em> literally a stumbling block in the path of Jesus.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>Jesus now sets his sights on Jerusalem. Jesus has come to a deeper understanding of what fidelity to his ministry would cost and may well have known what awaited him there. Jesus ponders the ultimate question: What profit would you show if you gained the whole world but lost yourself?&nbsp; What can you offer in exchange for your very self?</p><p>The expression very self has been variously translated as life or soul. It could mean life in the sense of ordinary life span that could be saved or lost. Or it could signify life with God the life promised in the Beatitudes. Jesus offers something far different far more costly and far more precious than popular messianic promises. Jesus asks the disciples to set their minds not on the things of mortals but on the things of God. They are invited to follow in Jesus footsteps.</p><p>Jesus walked in the footsteps of Jeremiah and the other great prophets. Todays first reading gives us a glimpse into the prophets profound suffering and despair. After declaring doom on the people for refusing to listen to Gods word Jeremiah is thrown into prison. Jeremiah agonizes through a crisis of faith lashing out against God accusing God of duping (literally enticing or seducing) him and allowing him to be the target of scorn mockery and contempt. &nbsp;</p><p>But Jeremiah declares that the word of God burns in his heart and cannot be contained. God will champion Jeremiah and his persecutors will not triumph. In this paradox of faith Jeremiah alternates between lament and praise. Jeremiah can question God in so many words and then confess that God is the Victor who fights on his behalf. We are not immune to the same paradoxes of Jeremiahs struggles.&nbsp;</p><p>St. Paul begs the believers at Rome to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God (a) spiritual act of worship. Jeremiah and Jesus did so at great cost as have many martyrs over the centuries. Yet Paul refers not just to the person but to that individuals corporal or concrete relationship with the world. Paul is not requiring an act of martyrdom but an offering no less demanding: a life that rests upon the daily commitment to living the gospel faithfully and intentionally.&nbsp;</p><p>We bring our very minds and bodies with us to fulfill this quest. We have only bodies and our minds to help us discover the soulthe very selfthat priceless sublime space within us wherein the Divine yearns for us and calls to us. In Jeremiahs words the word of God burns in our heart and awaits release from deep within our bones. Our life task is not that of saving our soul but of finding our soul. We mindfully guide our steps in the direction of the reign of God. Each day we soulfully strive to fulfill what is given to us to do. We have only our very self to offera gift that cannot be exchanged for all the worlds wealth.</p><p>Transgender and non-binary persons courageously live this embodied awareness. In the face of social religious and political oppression they authentically affirm the goodness and the rightness of their own very self. DignityUSA has consistently affirmed the holiness of our bodies and the sanctity of our relationships; LGBTQI+ persons are channels through which Gods love becomes visible. We believe that our transgender and queer communities can express their core identities in a sincere affirming and authentic manner (D/USA mission statement).</p><p>As I take my neighborhood walk these days I cautiously say to myself Pay attention! Watch your step! The steps we take may be in real time or metaphorical as we face challenges. The steps we take may be unfamiliar and uncertain as we face a from that time on moment. It is in these moments that we often encounter and embrace the very self. I can think of an example in my own life several years ago upon the death of my younger brother a moment fraught with grief and loss that ultimately set me on a new journey (literally) and opened me to a deeper connection to God and to myself.&nbsp; As I write the residents of Lahaina Maui are taking their first steps back to what were their homes and livelihoods before the tragic fires.&nbsp; Wherever the events of life direct us know that the Christ has walked there first and accompanies us whatever outcome awaits. In the prayer of the psalmist: your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Ps 119.105).</p><div><div class=titan__email-divider>&nbsp;</div><div class=titan__email-divider><img src='https://www.dignityusa.org/sites/default/files/botsjonschum_1.png'></div></div><div class=mobile-full><div class=mobile-full><em><strong>Jon Schum</strong>&nbsp;and his husband Ron Lacro are longtime Dignity Boston members. Jon has served on its board and liturgy committee and is one of the chapter's ordained presiders. For many years he supervised and provided arts-based therapeutic programming for an elder services agency in Boston. He is currently a co-facilitator of the Aging with Dignity caucus and board member at DignityUSA.&nbsp;</em></div><div class=mobile-full></div></div><p style=text-align: center;><a class=btn btn-primary href=https://dignityusa.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/dignityusa/subscribe.jsp?subscription=8>Subscribe to Breath of the Spirit</a></p>