Today’s Gospel passage is a damning one for poor Peter. Jesus calls him “Satan.” Jesus has got to the point in their relationship when he wants to share with the disciples what is going to happen. He says that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer and die. He also makes it clear that He will rise again on the third day. Peter says to Jesus, “Heaven preserve You, Lord…This must not happen to You.” Last Sunday we head Jesus speaking to Peter in different way: “You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church.” The place where Jesus says this in Matthew’s Gospel is only 5 verses before today’s “Get behind Me, Satan!” We have Peter’s strength put before us in the “You are Peter” verse; and suddenly we have his weakness in the “Get behind Me, Satan!” statement so soon after. Peter has many wonderful qualities, and we rejoice in them. However, the scriptures make sure that we are aware of Peter’s failings, too: for example, when Peter is walking on the water, he panics and cries out for help; and ultimately Peter tells Jesus he will die for Him but then denies Jesus and runs away. Peter is a real person of flesh and blood, full of all the bravery and fears involved in discipleship, yet he is an example that we do well to follow.
Are we not basically the same as Peter in his humanness and unworthiness? Could Jesus say the same to us, “Get behind me, Satan?” Probably many if not all of us, can think of moments in our lives when Jesus could say that to us. One of the reasons that we come to church is to help us to be better followers of Jesus. Today let us focus on what Jesus is telling us in this Sunday’s Gospel. He is saying to each one of us, “If you want to be My follower you have to pick up your cross and follow Me every day.” We know what Jesus call us to do – do we have the determination to do it? And when we fail, do we have the faith to turn to Jesus again?