In the first reading today from Genesis 9, God establishes a covenant with Noah and his family. Remember, they were the only humans on the planet at this point. He will never again destroy all living things with a flood. And as a sign of the covenant, God set his bow in the clouds. Every time we see a rainbow, it should remind us of this covenant. In the Gospel, we see the Markan version of Peter’s confession of faith. “Who do you say that I am?” “You are the Christ.”
Immediately after this triumphant moment, Peter rebukes Jesus for teaching them that the Son of Man would suffer greatly, be killed and rise after three days. Jesus turns to Peter and says, “Get behind me, Satan! You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” Poor old Peter goes from being the hero to the goat in a matter of minutes. Jesus went so far as to call him Satan! Now that’s gonna leave a mark. Ouch!
St. Paul tells us to “put on the mind of Christ.” That’s what Peter was guilty of NOT doing. And that is what I am guilty of NOT doing. I think that we think like human beings and not like God when we put our own selfish desires and motives above the good of others. When we want what we want and not what God wants. Love is doing what is truly best for others. And God is love. So, when we truly show love, then we are thinking like God. Satan loves it when we are selfish. Perhaps when we catch ourselves in that mode, we can yell out, “Get behind me, Satan!” Only then can we truly think like God does.
Father, forgive us for those times when we are so selfish, putting our own desires before everything else, even your will. Help us to think more like You this day. Amen.
0 comments