Peter’s confession about Jesus
MARK 8:27-35
JESUS and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Christ.” Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.
He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days. He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the Gospel will save it.”
REFLECTION
THINKING AS GOD DOES. “You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” Jesus says this to Peter who has just declared him to be the Christ. Though Peter knows more about Jesus than the ordinary people around, his knowledge of Jesus as the Messiah is not yet enough. It is not yet according to God’s mind. Peter still thinks like other Jews who expect a political Messiah and conquering warrior.
The challenge to Peter is to continue journeying with Jesus to Jerusalem so that the apostle will get Jesus right. He should not put roadblocks to the plan of God for Jesus. That is the work of Satan who is there to frustrate God’s plan.
Jesus wants to proceed to Jerusalem in obedience to God to fulfill the prophecy in Isaiah (First Reading) that says, “I gave my back to those who beat me…” Jesus is the Lord’s suffering servant. He is thinking like God.
The Second Reading invites the faithful to show their faith through works. It is not acceptable to God if believers do not help the poor in their midst. Faith that cannot feed the hungry and dress the naked is dead. God does not recognize it as faith. Christians must think like God.
Our minds as Christians must be transformed into God’s so that we can be instruments of God’s work. Thus, we need Christian formation. We should also resist our tendency to avoid sufferings. If we do not want to embrace pain, we may still be under the influence of Satan.
SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2018,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: books@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.