August 30, 2020
22nd Sunday Ordinary
Have you ever said something to another person and been shocked by the response? This happens in an exchange between Jesus and Simon Peter. In the Gospel according to St. Matthew, Jesus explains to Simon Peter and his disciples what it means to be the Christ, the Messiah, that “he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly.†Simon Peter, with genuine concern, objects to what Jesus intends to do by saying: “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.†Jesus turns on Peter and snaps at him: “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.â€
It is upsetting to hear Jesus call Simon Peter: “Satan.†Although we have the expression: “You devil†when someone suggests something devious. Earlier in the Gospel Jesus calls the devil “Satan.†It occurs after Jesus is baptized, when the Spirit leads Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the devil. The devil deceives. Jesus is hungry. The devil tempts Jesus to change stones into loaves of bread. The deceiver tempts Jesus to do something spectacular by throwing himself off the parapet of the temple to be saved by God’s angels. The devil shows Jesus the kingdoms of this world in their magnificence and tempts Jesus to gain power: “if you will prostate and worship me.†Jesus dismisses the devil: “Get away, Satan!â€
Simon Peter, out of fear for Jesus and for himself, has unintentionally become Satan. Peter refuses to listen to Jesus explain that being the Messiah and following the Messiah means forfeiture of one’s own life. It will take Peter a long time to comprehend what Jesus is saying. Near the end, when Jesus is arrested, he will deny knowing Jesus three times. But Jesus does not give up on Peter. In the Gospel according to St. John, Jesus, the Risen Lord, will appear to the disciples on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus will invite Simon Peter three times to express his love. After each expression of love, Jesus will ask Simon Peter to tend, to feed “my sheep.†Peter is redeemed. Jesus entrusts the office of Good Shepherd to Simon Peter. The last two words of Jesus, in the Gospels, are uttered to Simon Peter: “Follow me.†Simon Peter is no longer an obstacle. He has found his proper place -- “behind†Jesus.
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is leading us during these troubling times. Like Simon Peter, we need to follow him and find our place as his disciples.
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21st Sunday Ordinary
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23rd Sunday Ordinary
