Today’s Gospel presents us with a rather dramatic picture.
At the centre of this drama are Peter and Jesus. It begins with Jesus asking a
two-fold question: a) “Who do people say that I am?” b) Who do you
say I am?”
One of the characteristics of our Canadian society is
that we enjoy the guaranteed privilege of freedom of religion. We can define
our god in whatever way we believe god to be, and to worship this god as we see
fit. So if addressed to us, Jesus’ first question might sound like this, “Among
the religions in your society that claim Christian as their identity, who do
these people say that I am?”
Like the disciples answer in today’s gospel there will be
a variety of differing answers. But now comes the critical question, “But who
do you say that I am?”
There is only one, TRUE answer to this question – and it
is critical that people get this one, true answer right. The reason for this
urgency can be seen in what takes place next in this gospel passage. Jesus
reveals to his disciples that a conflict is about to take place between himself
and the authorities. But more than that – a battle between heaven and hell is
about to begin and the future of ever human soul is at stake. This battle
transcends time and space – this is that cosmic battle reaching right into
heaven itself.
Peter puts his arm around Jesus and leads him apart from
the others. It says Peter rebukes Jesus for saying this. The Christ they are
expecting God to send will be a champion warrior, incapable of such suffering
and defeat. At this point Jesus turns and rebukes Peter – and here it is
critical that we understand Why?
The answer is revealed in Jesus’ response, “Get behind me
Satan!” Jesus sees his enemy standing behind Peter, whispering into his ear. Jesus
sees the Great Deceiver, the one who lies, who deceives, who corrupts, who destroys
counselling Peter. You are thinking as the world thinks, Jesus replies to Peter
and to us as well, we thinking that everyone has a right to their opinion about
God – as long as you are happy with your beliefs, that’s all that matters.
My dear friends this is happening to us every day –
voices of compromise whispering in our conscience, “its alright, God
understands”. But the reality is much different. Just listen to the words of
Jesus again:
“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.”
Of course God understands; understands perfectly what we
are up against, he knows what a great challenge this presents to us. We are in
the same battle with Jesus, and the Cross is our only means of victory. And what
is “our cross” that we are to take up? It is our present life situation and all
the drama it entails. Being a good Canadian does not make us a holy person. We must rise far above that standard.
There is so much to say about this, but I will end with
these words of St. Paul
The message of the cross is
foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved
it is the power of God.
For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of
the wise,
and the learning of the learned
I will set aside.”
Where is the wise one? Where is
the scribe? Where is the debater of this age?
Has not God made the wisdom of
the world foolish?
For since in the wisdom of God
the world did not come to know God through wisdom,
it was the will of God through
the foolishness of the proclamation (of the gospel) to save those who have
faith.
For Jews demand signs and
Greeks look for wisdom,
but we proclaim Christ
crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
but to those who are called,
Jews and Greeks alike, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
For the foolishness of God is
wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human
strength. 1 Cor. 1:18
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