THE JESUS WHO FOLLOWS ME | Catholic Homily

You can believe in Jesus. Love Jesus. Call Him Lord.  And still spend your life trying to lead Him.

In this homily for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. Jim Chern reflects on one of the most jarring moments in the Gospel: only moments after Peter correctly identifies Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God,” he begins telling Jesus what His mission should—and should not—look like.

Peter wants Jesus. He just wants Jesus according to Peter’s plan. And that raises an uncomfortable question for every Christian: Who’s leading whom?

We can ask Jesus to bless our plans, our relationships, our ambitions and our picture of the future—but discipleship means leaving Him enough room to interrupt those plans, redirect us, challenge us, and sometimes ask us to surrender something we never expected to give up.

Because if Jesus can never tell me no, never redirect my plans, never challenge me, and never ask me to let something go…

“I’ve created a Jesus who follows me.
And that Jesus cannot save me.”

🎧 Listen and reflect: What might Jesus be asking you to surrender—and are you willing to let Him lead?

📖 Read the full homily:
https://homilyonthespot.com/2026/08/28/the-jesus-who-follows-me/

If this homily speaks to you, please like, repost, share it with someone, and follow Fr. Jim Chern’s Homilies on SoundCloud so you don’t miss future reflections.

Scripture: Matthew 16:21–27 • Jeremiah 20:7–9 • Romans 12:1–2

#Catholic #CatholicHomily #Homily #Jesus #CatholicFaith #Christianity #Discipleship #Gospel #SundayMass #Faith

THE JESUS WHO FOLLOWS ME | Catholic Homily You can believe in Jesus. Love Jesus. Call Him Lord. And still spend your life trying to lead Him. In this homily for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. Jim Chern reflects on one of the most jarring moments in the Gospel: only moments after Peter correctly identifies Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God,” he begins telling Jesus what His mission should—and should not—look like. Peter wants Jesus. He just wants Jesus according to Peter’s plan. And that raises an uncomfortable question for every Christian: Who’s leading whom? We can ask Jesus to bless our plans, our relationships, our ambitions and our picture of the future—but discipleship means leaving Him enough room to interrupt those plans, redirect us, challenge us, and sometimes ask us to surrender something we never expected to give up. Because if Jesus can never tell me no, never redirect my plans, never challenge me, and never ask me to let something go… “I’ve created a Jesus who follows me. And that Jesus cannot save me.” 🎧 Listen and reflect: What might Jesus be asking you to surrender—and are you willing to let Him lead? 📖 Read the full homily: https://homilyonthespot.com/2026/08/28/the-jesus-who-follows-me/ If this homily speaks to you, please like, repost, share it with someone, and follow Fr. Jim Chern’s Homilies on SoundCloud so you don’t miss future reflections. Scripture: Matthew 16:21–27 • Jeremiah 20:7–9 • Romans 12:1–2 #Catholic #CatholicHomily #Homily #Jesus #CatholicFaith #Christianity #Discipleship #Gospel #SundayMass #Faith

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Catholic homilies that connect Scripture to real life. Fr. Jim Chern brings the Sunday Gospel into conversation with the questions, struggles, culture, doubts and experiences of everyday life. New homilies each week — thoughtful, challenging, sometimes funny, and always centered on Jesus Christ and His Church.

Fr Jim is a priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, NJ ordained May 29, 1999 where he serves as Director of the Office of Campus Ministry as well as Chaplain and Director of the Newman Catholic Center at Montclair State University (RedHawkCatholic.com)

Religion & Spirituality

Catholic homilies that connect Scripture to real life. Fr. Jim Chern brings the Sunday Gospel into conversation with the questions, struggles, culture, doubts and experiences of everyday life. New homilies each week — thoughtful, challenging, sometimes funny, and always centered on Jesus Christ and His Church. Fr Jim is a priest of the Archdiocese of Newark, NJ ordained May 29, 1999 where he serves as Director of the Office of Campus Ministry as well as Chaplain and Director of the Newman Catholic Center at Montclair State University (RedHawkCatholic.com)

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