Krysallis

Christ had a curious way of reprimanding Peter in the Gospel today. After Peter took him aside and tried to rebuke him, Christ used some strong words: “Get behind me Satan!”

What is going on?

In the Gospel of Mark, this was an important moment in the ministry of Jesus. Not only is Jesus telling his disciples very clearly that he is the Messiah, but he also went on to tell them exactly what kind of Messiah he would be. And this was not good news for the apostles. They were waiting for a powerful king to establish them in riches and glory. But, instead, Jesus described for them the sufferings that he felt were awaiting him. That’s why Peter, always the impulsive one, took Jesus to the side to chide him.

In Christian mythology, Satan is the master of deception.

It’s often difficult to hear the truth. Many people really don’t want the truth. In the second reading of today’s liturgy, James describes some people coming to us with shabby clothes and no food for the day. And it is the blind dead faith that bids them, “Go in peace, stay warm and it well”, rather than an alive faith that embraces the truth and does something about their situation. Deception is much easier; therefore, people are making millions deceiving us about the road to happiness in life.

It’s therefore just as hard to tell the truth, especially when no one really wants to hear it. Imagine a person suffering from a fatal illness sharing that news with his family. Instead of supporting and standing with the person awaiting death, more often family members try to convince him that everything will be O.K.; if he just keeps a positive attitude the inevitable will not happen. When people do not want to hear the truth, they form an alliance of deception.

That which liberates is the truth. Maybe that’s why Satan is set against liberation in all its forms. The truth of justice is difficult to share in an environment of oppression. So often social psychologists comment on how oftentimes it is the oppressed themselves who are reluctant to take the steps to let go of their oppression.

As a Church, we too must speak the truth when it does not want to be heard even in our hollowed halls. How can we stand with justice, and treat people unjustly based on their gender or sexual preference? We would rather distort Scripture and theology to maintain the lie than speak the simple truth that does not want to be heard.

It takes the grace of God to confess the truth and break the deception of falsehood. Like Isaiah in the first reading we “set our face knowing that we will not be put to shame.” For it is Satan himself who is our adversary!