We are invited to Think Like God

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : 22nd Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Mt 16:21-27*

*First Reading : Jer 20:7-9*

*SECOND READING -Rom 12:1-2*

*We are invited to Think Like God*

*1) Jesus' invitation to think like God*

The Gospel of the day shows two kinds of thinking. 

The thinking of God 

The Thinking of Man 

Peter was thinking like a human being and not like God

That's why Jesus corrects him and invites him to think like God 

The same invitation is also given to us 

*2) Is it possible to think like God?*

Since we have been created by the image and likeness of God, it is possible to think like God

Since we are given the share of divine wisdom and holiness, one can think like God and imitate God very well 

The psalm 8:5 says,  *You have made them  a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor*

This is the glory of the human beings in the creation order. So it is definitely possible to think like God

*3) Thinking like Human is an obstacle for God's plan*

This is very clear from today's Gospel. 

When Peter was thinking like a human being, Jesus says, *“Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”*

So the moment we think like human being we forget about God

*4) What is God's thinking*

Gods thinking is very well found in the entire Scriptures

The Ten commandments of God, tell us how to think like God

The teachings of Jesus are the best ways to understand the thinking of God 

In God's thinking the following things are found 

Justice, truth, forgiveness, Mercy, love, service, sacrifice, simplicity, authenticity, joyfulness, happiness, understanding, faithfulness, genuine relationship, unity, peace, etc 

*5) How does the Human beings think*

Jeremiah 17:9 says *The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?*

This is how human beings think. That's why it becomes an obstacle to God's mission 

Man's thinking consists in the following

Easy results

Short cuts 

No pain but only gain 

Results important but means are compromised

Greed, overlooks e everything

Selfishness

Desire to accumulate than to share 

These  things go against the very nature of God's thinking 

*6) How do I think?*

Do I think like God or like Human beings?

Its very important to think like God.

All those who became great sainsts, thought like God, and lived like God. That is how they became sainsts 

The moment we think like God, it encourages us to follow in our life and we become our heavenly faith 

*Be perfect like your heavenly Father* a wonderful invitation from Jesus

Am I ready? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*