Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay all according to his conduct.”
Gospel Trivia:
There are three occasions in Matthew's gospel when Jesus predicts his passion and death. This Sunday's gospel passage is the first of them. We should note the following:
- the passage follows a pattern:
a) the prediction,
b) the disciples do not understand the prediction (and objects to it),
c) a teaching is said, and finally,
d) the announcement of the resurrection.
- the word "must" is used: "Jesus began to show his disciples that he MUST go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly..." It suggests that the passion is not accidental but is part and parcel of Jesus' mission. The suffering is a necessary part of salvation and of discipleship.
The Greek word used for "must" is "dei" which connotes the will of God, and not just a fatal necessity.
- Jesus is not only aware, but ACCEPTS, that suffering and death are part of the plan. It is not just his insight but something revealed in Scriptures.
Contrast this with the objection of Peter and the use of "Satan" to refer to him. Satan deceives, and prefers temporal life and pleasure to suffering and eternal life.
On your road to discipleship? Then expect, no, accept that one will encounter pain and suffering along the way.
Reference:
- Nil Guillemette, SJ, A Kingdom for All (Makati: St. Paul's Publications), pp. 219-221.
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