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First
Reading
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Psalm |
Epistle |
Gospel |
Isaiah 50:4–9a |
Psalm 116:1–8 |
James 3:1–12 |
Mark 8:27–38
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I am unable to properly credit the author, but there is a prayer that goes: "Dear Lord, grant that I may always be among those who search for the truth and protect me against those who believe that they have found it!"
In the Gospel readings for the past couple of weeks, we have traveled with Jesus as he went from town to small village, healing the sick, giving hope to the discouraged, and paying attention to those who had been so long ignored. Without the benefit of knowing the future, on the surface Jesus' ministry seemed to be going along fairly well. People responded, some noticed and talked about what seemed to be clear signs of God at work. Yes, there was some opposition building, but that in itself was an indication that Jesus' teaching was being discussed and for varied reasons, was taken seriously.
Jesus then took a break and took his disciples away from the synagogues on the shores of Galilee, to the largely gentile region of Caesarea Philippi that served as a resort community for the soldiers of the Roman army. There neither he nor his disciples would be readily recognized. "What is the public opinion about my ministry?" Jesus asked. The disciples replied, "Well, some think you are another John the Baptist, continuing his ministry of repentance and preparing for God to enter our hearts. Others think you are in the great tradition of Elijah, announcing that the messiah, the savior of the world, is about to arrive among us. Others, at this point, see you in the line of the prophets who interpreted the word of God and prepared people for change and fresh understanding in their generation." I think the disciples would have taken satisfaction in the public opinion about Jesus. Jesus' message involved all those things and it appeared, at least to some, to be getting through.
Then Jesus asked the disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter answered right back, indeed it seemed as if he almost shouted it, "You are the messiah, God’s anointed one, to bring about a profound transformation on this earth, a change that will manifest clearly God’s new commonwealth!" Unlike the Gospel of Matthew that praises Peter for this insight and has Jesus establish Peter as the first among equals, Jesus’ response in the Gospels of Mark and Luke is quite subdued. Jesus seemed to draw back and immediately the scene became somber. "Don't tell anyone," Jesus cautioned. The reality was that there were plenty of Roman ears around to pick up any rumors of a possible insurrection. Rising Jewish leaders of any kind, but especially those who came from the peasant class, were held with suspicion and monitored. Disciples of any rabbi not approved by the official bureaucracy and who mentioned words such as messiah invited danger. Being a disciple of Jesus was not something you would put on your resume when applying for a government job or for requesting tenure at an academic institution.
Jesus, however, quickly moved on to describe the larger challenges of discipleship. While we don't know the exact nature of Peter's rebuke, some would suggest that Peter explicitly wanted Jesus to use force over his opponents. Probably Peter expected Jesus to take charge at some time in the future and was shocked and confused at the suggestion of Jesus' suffering and mention of dying.
Jesus’ words were a warning of what lay ahead for them in Jerusalem. Yet they also seemed to be meant for those who would become disciples ever after. The Gospel has the power to lift us up and carry us over high obstacles. Jesus has the power to change us into somebody we never imagined we could be. Yet there is danger of profound misunderstanding. The fruits of God's grace are always gifts to be shared, never possessions to be claimed or exploited.
Those who think they have found and are in possession of all truth may indeed believe that they have gained the whole world. They may indeed think that they are the morally superior ones; that they should rightfully inhabit the high and lofty places, enjoying God's favor, and all who disagree deserve to be brought down and discredited.
I suspect we all know those who have been promoted to full professor or first executive vice-president, or elected to high public office who have come to believe that they now have arrived in possession of all truth and are experts on just about everything. Such belief is a dangerous delusion, Jesus warns, and is very unhealthy for your heart, your soul and your mind. That is not the discipleship that Jesus taught.
Like us, the disciples yearned for favorable opinion polls on the success of Jesus' mission; I can see why the disciples were unnerved by Jesus' emphasis of suffering and death, as well as Jesus being distressed by followers who mistook a journey towards greater and greater truth, with the claim of an exclusive possession and control of it. Disciples are those who journey in company of those who seek the truth, but whom continually need God's grace to lead and guide them. Hence "Get behind me Satan" is the prayer asking for protection against those who claim to have found all truth, who are smug in where they are right now, and think they have no need to make an effort to journey further anymore.
And I offer this to you in the name of the Living God, Amen.
