The Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time – September 15, 2024
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September 12, 2024My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the diabolical, especially in the movies and on TV. Most of these presentations are sensational and meant to freak out and frighten their viewers. The presumption is that Satan is more powerful or at least equal in power to God, and that we can easily fall under his persuasion and control. Since little is said among believers about the devil in the contemporary Church and little said in most religion classes about him, some, especially the young, are ready and willing to believe these lies about him. The correct Catholic doctrine is that though the devil exists. in no way is he a power equal to God. Sometimes it may seem that way, but the truth is Satan was defeated by Jesus Christ on the Cross once and for all. He remains arrogant and will try to tempt us into sin, but his power and knowledge never was nor never can supersede that of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Then what does Jesus mean when He says to Peter: “Get behind me, Satan.” The context of this encounter explains to us what Jesus is talking about. Throughout the entire Gospel of St. Mark Jesus is headed to Jerusalem to suffer, to die, and to rise for all men and women. He has explained at great length to His apostles and disciples the meaning of the Cross. He will be transfigured in order to reveal the glory behind the Cross. Jesus has made it clear that He and His cross are inseparable. In fact, at the heart of our faith is the doctrine of Christ crucified. There is no other way to heaven and no other way to be an authentic Christian. There can be no easy Christian religion. The Sacrifice of Love Jesus will demonstrate on Calvary is not a suggestion but a necessity. Any other version of Christianity is phony. The diabolical, the Satanic, is, therefore, to deny the cross as St. Peter did. After the Resurrection Jesus asks Peter: “Do you love me?” He responds “Yes, Lord” and then he is charged with the task to feed the sheep …
To sum up, the diabolical is to run away from the Cross and embrace the world. Love is not easy, but possible through Christ crucified. We can defeat the devil and live a holy life through Christ on the Cross and through Him alone. Lift up the Cross!
Yours in our Lord and our Lady,
The Rev. Mark G. Mazza, Pastor
