Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season:  Eighteenth Week :  Thursday*

*Gospel : Mt 16:13-23*

*First Reading : Nm 20:1-13*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9*

*Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.*

*1) Context: From Confession to Rebuke*

Just moments earlier, Peter had made a profound declaration of faith: *"You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."* (Matthew 16:16)

Jesus praises him for this insight, saying it was revealed by the Father.

But then, when Jesus starts explaining His coming suffering, death, and resurrection, Peter rebukes Jesus, saying: *"God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you."* (v. 22)

This is when Jesus responds with *"Get behind me, Satan!"*

*2) Why Such a Harsh Response?*

Jesus is not calling Peter literally Satan, but addressing the temptation in Peter’s words. 

Peter, though out of love and good intentions, tries to dissuade Jesus from the cross — the very mission Jesus came to fulfill.

Satan means *“adversary”.* In that moment, Peter unknowingly becomes an adversary to God’s plan.

Even those closest to God can unintentionally oppose His will when they follow human reasoning instead of divine purpose.

*3) You are an obstacle to me” – A Spiritual Warning*

The word “obstacle” (Greek: skandalon) means stumbling block — something that causes someone to fall.

Peter is tempting Jesus to avoid suffering — a shortcut without the cross, just like Satan did during the temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11).

Jesus recognizes this as a spiritual snare, a threat to the redemptive path.

We too can become stumbling blocks to others if we:

Encourage comfort over calling,

Discourage sacrifice,

Mislead others from the truth in the name of love.

*4) Human Thinking vs. Divine Thinking*

Peter’s mindset was shaped by human expectations — a victorious Messiah, not a suffering one. 

He could not yet grasp that salvation would come through the cross.

Discipleship often requires a renewal of the mind (Romans 12:2). 

God’s ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8–9). We must be willing to surrender our ideas of what is good or right and trust God's mysterious plan.

*5) Link to the Cross and Discipleship*

Jesus moves from rebuking Peter to teaching about the cost of discipleship. 

The way of Jesus is not avoidance of pain, but embracing the cross — obedience, even when it’s hard.

Following Jesus involves confronting our inner resistance to suffering, sacrifice, and submission. 

We must recognize the “Peter” in us — the part that loves Jesus but resists the cross.

*6) Personal Application*

Ask yourself:

Do I ever discourage others from following God’s hard but holy path?

Do I resist God’s will because it involves suffering?

Am I thinking as the world thinks or as God does?

*7) Final Word*

*Get behind me, Satan!* is not just a rebuke of Peter, but a call for all disciples to discern the voice of God from the voice of worldly reasoning — even when it comes from those we love. 

Jesus calls us not to be obstacles, but followers — ones who walk behind Him on the road to Calvary, and ultimately, to resurrection.

*“Help me, Lord, not to be a stumbling block, but a stepping stone for others to encounter You*

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*