Jer 31:31-34
Ps 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19
Mt 16:13-23 Full Readings
Thinking as God Does
Brethren, after Peter’s heartfelt and enlightened confession of faith: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God," Jesus gave him a new name and mission. “Peter, upon this rock I will build my Church,” and so Peter was integrated into the mission of Jesus, sent by the Father. He would lead God’s people and hold the keys to the Kingdom, the keys that bind and loose, the keys that offer access to the New Covenant mediated by Jesus Christ through his paschal mystery which God had promised long ago to write at people's hearts as we see in the first reading. But as soon as Peter received this new mission, he was tempted to carry it out according to his criteria, not God’s criteria: “suffering, death, and rising on the third day.” Jesus struck back against Peter’s rash and pragmatic mindset, inviting him not to think like human beings but to think like God, who sacrificed his only Son. It is a testament to the criteria that a true disciple must embody, one of laying down one’s life for the other. Thus, Peter, because of his deep relationship with Jesus, had got it right when he said: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” But he was wrong when he advised Jesus not to tread the way of the cross.
This invitation is also for us today. We must think like God thinks and wishes us to follow him not our own way. Most of us would not wish to follow a way with a cross, but unfortunately this is the way of God. Out of his love and mercy, he gave up his only son Jesus Christ to die for us on the cross to save us from our sins. The same way we must give up our lives for the sake of others in loving and service. When Jesus rebuked him by saying, “Get behind me, Satan,” he knew that the way of the cross, the narrow way, is the way of glory, but avoiding the cross is the way of the world. Just like many believers today, Peter thought of the cross as repulsive. Hence it is not surprising that not all Christian preachers are willing to preach about the crucified Christ. The Gospel of Prosperity seems to be more attractive than the message of the cross. But we should always remember there is no cross without a crown, and no crown without a cross.
Consequently, those who preach the easy gospel, the cheap grace, that is grace without the cross, those who preach easy religion, a religion without sacrifice are probably thinking not as God thinks but as human beings do. In their conscience, Jesus is rebuking them, “Get behind me, Satan,” but most are not paying attention to this rebuke. As we see in the first reading, God has written his law in our hearts, there is no one needed to tell us what to do for the Spirit is always reminding us of what we are do and say deep in our consciences. When we resist to listen to this voice by acting otherwise or preaching religion without a cross, we are not thinking as God thinks but thinking as human beings do.
if we have been doing this, it is time to develop more closeness to Jesus' teachings and grow more in faith in him so that we will come accept and freely receive the crosses and sacrifices that come with the mission God has entrusted to us as Peter did. If we have not matured in faith, it is not easy to accept the sufferings and carry our crosses to follow Jesus. At first, Peter still struggled to consider the cross, humiliation, death, injustice, and mistreatment from the perspective of faith in Jesus. It took some time for Peter, and indeed all disciples, to accept that Jesus the Messiah would die on the Cross. Later, Peter learned that lesson well: “Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you. But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly” (1 Peter 4:12-13). A mature faith allows us to see our whole life (joys, sorrows, and sufferings) as Jesus looks at it. Let us pray for growth in our faith daily.
It is only when we reach this level of faith, that we shall become living rocks which make the Church, the body of Christ just as Peter was made a rock upon which the church is laid. Peter calls church as the people of God, as a spiritual house and temple of the Holy Spirit with each member joined together as living stones (see 1 Peter 2:5). We too, by faith in Jesus, can become rocks and cornerstones of our different churches but one Church of Christ. Let us always try to think the way God thinks not as we think, to follow the criteria of God not our won criteria.
Let us Pray
Lord Jesus, help me always to think like you and not to rely on my own thinking, to let your will be done but not as I as I want and always help me to understand the sufferings and crosses involved in following you and accept them for I know you won't let me carry them alone. Amen
Be blessed.
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