Word to the Wise
Thursday, February 20, 2025 - Thursday in the 6th Week in Ordinary Time
[Gen 9:1-13 and Mark 8:27-33]"Who do people say that I am?... But who do you say that I am?... Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do?" [Mark]
The Gospel According to Mark is the oldest of the four gospels and the simplest in telling the story of Jesus. The scene at Caesarea Philippi is presented rather starkly compared with the version in the Gospel According to Matthew. There is no "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah...." declaration in response to Peter's confession of faith. There is only a warning to keep Jesus' identity quiet! What does stand out is Jesus' response to Peter's protest in response to Jesus' declaration about his rejection by the Jewish leadership. "Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."
Jesus' challenge to Peter remains one for us as well. Peter's idea of a messiah did not include what Jesus was predicting. His (Peter's) expectations could have been any of those in circulation about a king or military leader. They definitely did not include a crucified and risen Lord! But we cannot point the finger at Peter and the other disciples, who had a difficult time understanding Jesus. What are our expectations? Who do WE say that Jesus is? Since, as St. Paul teaches us, we are the Body of Christ, does Jesus' question mean, "Who do we say that WE are as Jesus' disciples?" We have his teachings and we have his image in a crucifix on the wall! What do these say about US? Caesarea Philippi may be the name of any place we happen to be in! AMEN