Kaukauna Catholic Parishes

Each of us has experienced peer pressure at one time or another. It may be in the clothes we wear, the food we eat, or the kind of car we drive. Sometimes peer pressure can be deadly - when people use illegal drugs, take up smoking or vaping or drinking and driving - just to fit in.
The teachings in our readings this week give us the courage to resist peer pressure. Jesus is the master at avoiding peer
pressure and giving us the tools to follow his path. In the Gospel this week, Jesus speaks plainly to his disciples about his mission. Despite the crowds that have flocked to be close to him, Jesus tells his disciples that he will be rejected by the Jewish leaders and will be killed, but will rise again. Peter pulls him aside and says to Jesus in effect, “Listen I think you got it wrong, you're popular, you’re a hero, you can’t let that happen.” Jesus refers to Peter as “Satan” and he tells him to get out of his way.
 What Jesus is saying to Peter is "I have a mission from my Father and you and others may not understand it. If you want to save your life, you have to stop thinking as other people think and follow me." In other words, don’t give in to peer pressure.
That is the same message we receive in the first reading. Isaiah tells us, “The Lord God has opened my ear that I may hear and I have not rebelled, have not turned back.” Isaiah goes on to say, “The Lord God is my help, therefore I am not disgraced.” Isaiah speaks of the One who is called and will bring salvation to us by His sacrifice. That One has heard the word of God and has said, okay, even though it might be hard, He listens, does not rebel, and does not turn back. By doing so, He doesn’t give in to peer pressure because the Lord is his help. He is revered, not disgraced.
So what about us? We have heard the Word of God. Do we give in to peer pressure? Do we rebel? Do we turn away or do we act like Jesus and trust what God has shared with us? Do we recognize that God is our help and that he will protect us? Do we understand that God only wants what is best for us?
The second reading reminds us that we have to take what we hear and put it into action. St. Peter
reminds us that we have to care for one another. Jesus says the same thing in the Gospel: we must deny ourselves and follow him. Our world needs us to do this now more than ever. We need to put our divisions aside and realize that God lives in each one of us and that we are more alike than different. Division does not come from God.
Can we turn our hearts and minds to work toward our common good? Will we follow God or will we rebel?

Blessings,
Deacon Randy