Gospel Reading: Mark 8:27-33
Why was Jesus so harsh with Peter, calling him Satan? After all, Peter was just concerned for him, not wanting him to suffer greatly as Jesus was saying. Secondly, “Peter took him aside” (v.32b), wanting to make a private rather than public rebuke. But Jesus, rather than just responding also privately to Peter, “turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter” (v.33a). Jesus thus humiliated Peter in front of his confreres.
Well, this is because if Peter had his way, the very mission of Jesus would be thwarted. If Peter had his way, Jesus would not have gone to the cross. This is why Jesus called Peter Satan because he would be doing the work of Satan. So Jesus’ rebuke would be an important lesson not just for Peter but for the rest of the apostles.
Today we have top authorities in our Church also doing the work of Satan. These are the modernists who give false and even heretical teaching. Jesus told Peter, “you are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” (v.33c). This is a classic definition of modernism. Modernism looks to the well-being of man but at the sacrifice of the righteousness and truth of God.
For example:
That all men are saved and no one goes to hell, if there is even a hell.
That all men are brothers, and there is no need to convert people to the one true faith, as all religions lead to the divine.
That all men, including apostates and heretics, belong to the communion of saints.
That even grievous sinners, such as pro-aborts and active LGBTs, can claim to be devout and receive Holy Communion.
What these modernists need to ask themselves is the question Jesus posed to the disciples: “Who do people say that I am?” (v.27b).
Is he a God of love and mercy but also of justice?
Is he just a do-gooder, who looks only to the temporal well-being of man in this world, or to the eternal well-being of his soul in heaven?
Is he politically correct, not wishing to offend, or did he call out sinners and tell them to sin no more?
As eternal judge, does he look to entry into heaven for all people or just for those who attain to being saints?
May the answer to Jesus’ question be: “You are the messiah.” (v.29b). And may we all look to his mind and guidance, and not to the modernists and false teachers in our Church.