Sometimes life feels puzzling. Sometimes we are not sure of how we “fit in” or in what direction we should go. Well, the gospel invites us to answer the question of who Jesus is in our lives. We can respond as the disciples did, or we can create our own answers . . . e.g. Jesus is the leader, a friend, the Savior, the Light. Whatever response we give, it comes down to following Jesus.
I would say that following Jesus is like . . . putting together a jigsaw puzzle. [Reveal a large jigsaw puzzle with most of the pieces already in place (glued) on a poster board].
You see, most of us start a jigsaw puzzle by putting the edges together first. In the gospel, Jesus says, “Whoever wishes to come after me must take up the cross.” Now this could mean that we accept the crosses that we bear . . . that is, the physical or emotional toils that we face. But a better understanding comes from the word “take.” Jesus doesn’t say “accept” the cross, but instead he says “take,” and that means we are to look for those edgy situations that might get us crucified . . . and take those on.
Usually that means dealing with issues or people that are on the edge. That is, the marginalized people or in Hebrew, the Anaween. This is where we start as followers of Jesus. As St. James wrote in the second reading, what good is it to have faith, if you don’t do something?”
Of course there are lots of marginalized people in our society today. That is, anyone who feels on the edge . . . for example people with mental health issues, people of color, people who are handicapped, or the elderly. A big issue right now is people from another country, the immigrants. Perhaps we won’t encounter someone immediately, but it is our attitude that is the most telling. Pope Francis invites us to welcome the immigrant, when others are saying “build a wall and keep them out.” [place another piece of the puzzle into the puzzle]
Another aspect of putting a puzzle together is that it can be accomplished alone or with a group.
That is the same with following Jesus. Of course we can “do it on our own” but the real joy comes when we join together. For example, when we gather here at Mass . . . it is the communal aspect that reveals the presence of Christ. Sometimes you may feel helpless or lost . . . and someone else “nudges you along” to trust and to believe. Sometimes you are the one who is here to nudge someone else along . . . simply by your presence or your prayers. This is a shared participation in following Jesus.
Another part of this puzzle is that we cannot force a piece into place. No matter how hard we try, it won’t fit. Sometimes we try to fit God into our way of thinking. [I try forcing a puzzle piece into place.] It doesn’t’ work like that. That is what Peter faced in the gospel when he wanted only “peace and harmony” in being a Christian. Jesus sets him straight, in saying that to follow him, does NOT mean that everything will be stress free, and have no problems. NO, it is exactly the opposite. To be a follower means to also have suffering and pain . . . but we also have hope. For no matter what the situation is . . . there will ALWAYS be resurrection.
Finally, in putting a puzzle together . . . one needs to look at the big picture. It is tempting to only focus on one piece and think that it determines your entire life. With any pain or hurt that we have . . . remember that pain or hurt is not your life. It is your life situation. It is only one piece in the great scheme of life. Your life is much bigger and magnificent than any one piece.
[Continue adding the missing pieces of the puzzle.]
So if you are carrying around one particular piece . . . one bit of burden or pain. Jesus invites us to do . . . as the famous song from this entire picture invites us to do. [The puzzle is a scene from the movie Frozen] It is from a Disney movie called Frozen. It is a great movie. The famous songs says . . .
Let it go, let it go
Can't hold it back anymore
Let it go, let it go
Turn away and slam the door!
I don't care
What they're going to say
Let the storm rage on,
The cold never bothered me anyway!
So let go.