What a difference a week makes! As we prepare for the start of the new school year, we see Simon Peter go from being star pupil last week (when he answered correctly Jesus’ question “Who do you say I am?”) to bottom of the class this week. This is because he reacts so strongly to Jesus’ follow-up declaration that, as Son of God, he is destined to suffer, be put to death and rise on the third day. When Simon says, “This must not happen to you.” Jesus’ reaction could not be stronger: “Get behind me Satan!” Strong words indeed!

Why do Simon Peter/Jesus say what they say? Simon Peter has been brought up with the idea of a Messiah of power and glory, who will come to save his people. It seems that Simon imagines this means liberating them from the Romans. What Jesus says about suffering and death just doesn’t fit with this. Simon Peter wants Jesus to be a winner not a loser. He is also guilty of selective hearing – he hears the part about Jesus’ death but not about rising on the third day. Even though he got the answer right last week, we see how far Simon Peter still has to go before he can see as God sees and not be stuck in his human way of thinking. And Jesus? Perhaps Simon Peter’s words take him back to his earlier time of temptation by the Devil in the wilderness. There Satan urged him to forget about obedience to God and instead take the easier road of power, popularity and personal comfort. Jesus wants nothing to do with this. And he shows Peter how, just as he can be the rock on which Jesus will build his Church, so he can also be a stumbling block to everything Jesus is trying to do. If we are honest, we can also get it so right and so wrong in our relationship with God!

Last week I recommended a series of free films called ‘Metanoia’ by the American Franciscan Fr Dave Pivonka on his brilliant website: www.thewildgooseisloose.com. This week I recommend Episode 9, This Teaching is Hard – it fits really well with this week’s Gospel. Enjoy!

With blessings & prayers from Fr Richard, Fr Ephrem & all the parish team
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