From Rock to Satan! “…so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it...”; “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do” (Mt16: 18, 23). Would you believe that these contrasting and bold statements were not only said to the same person but apparently within a relatively short period of time of each other? Jesus spoke both of these statements to one of his closest disciples, Simon, whose name He had changed to Peter. I’ve always found it fascinating that Jesus calls Simon “Satan” soon after He explicitly made him the visible head of the church. How did Peter go from being “Rock” (the meaning of the name Peter) to “Satan?” Peter had fallen for perhaps the oldest trick in the book. He was willing to accept the glory of Christ, but not the suffering Christ. This is a perennial temptation for all of us. We tend to think, “You are so good, Jesus. You are all-powerful. Why don’t you just conquer sin, suffering and death in an easier and more majestic way?” Here is where we must take seriously the words of Jesus towards Peter, and by implication to us: “You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” We are encouraged by St. Paul in this Sunday’s second reading not to “conform [ourselves] to this age but be transformed by the renewal of [our] mind, that [we] may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect” (Rom 12:1-2). In other words, he exhorts us to think like God. Part of this renewal of our mind consists, then, in recognizing the wisdom of God shown forth in the suffering Christ. By conquering sin, suffering and death by taking upon himself the punishment of sin that we deserved and wholeheartedly embracing its pain and death, Jesus shows to us that the apparent “weakness” of God is far stronger than even the most horrific things of this world (cf. 1 Cor 1:25). Perhaps more importantly though, in enduring such horror for our sakes, Jesus shows forth most convincingly His (God’s) love for us. As you experience suffering in its various forms this week, remember that you have been invited by God to join the battle of conquering sin, suffering and death. Remember with great hope that you will be victorious not by running from it, but by freely choosing to endure it out of love for God and neighbor. One could doubt the degree of love you have for God if everything went well for you in life. One could not doubt, however, the strength of your love for God if you were willing to lay down your life for Him. Therefore, do not be afraid to love the Lord without reserve, “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” (Mt 16: 27).