Introduction
I am reading Elise Ann Allen’s biography of Pope Leo XIV … a good and easy read … and I came across a story shared with Allen by Fr John Lydon, “a grey-haired Augustinian who missioned for almost four decades in Peru” (p. 34). For much of that time, he lived in community with the present Pope.
As he tells it, Fr Bob (Robert Prevost) was in Peru at the time when the risk of being killed in a terrorist attack was so extreme that all the Augustinians were advised to leave the country. Fr John recounted to Allen that as a community they said that “a better response is to ask, How do we accompany the people during the time of the cross?” (p. 45)
When I was at school, I learned the difference between being an apostle and being an apostate. I remember responding to the challenge to embrace my Catholic faith with courage and determination, to be prepared to die rather than deny Christ - although, I hoped that it would never come to that. Years later, as a teacher, I used Graham Greene’s short story “The hint of an explanation” to pass on what I learned. If you have never read the story, you might find this summary informative.
The Gospel
Jesus began to make it clear to his disciples that he was destined to go to Jerusalem and suffer grievously at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, to be put to death and to be raised up on the third day. Then, taking him aside, Peter started to remonstrate with him. ‘Heaven preserve you, Lord;’ he said ‘this must not happen to you.’ But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.’
Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it. What, then, will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life? Or what has a man to offer in exchange for his life?
‘For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and, when he does, he will reward each one according to his behaviour.’ (Matthew 16:21-27)
The Enquiry
See
What is the disagreement between Jesus and Peter about? Describe it in your own words. Do you stand with Jesus? Or with Peter?
What does commitment to Jesus require of his disciples? The apostles died as martyrs. What does this tell you about the impact of Jesus’ words on them? Does he impact your life in the same way?
Why does Jesus accept that he will suffer and die because of his work?
Judge
What do you think about Jesus’ message in this Gospel passage?
Is there a better way to look at life than what Jesus presents here?
What do you find challenging in his description of the essentials of discipleship?
Act
What have you observed in this Gospel story that is needed in the world today and/or in your life?
What small action can you carry out that will contribute to bringing about this transformation of the world and yourself?
Who can you involve in your action, when, where and how often?
Image Source: James Tissot (Creator), Watercolour painting in the Brooklyn Museum: Get thee behind me Satan, Picryl, PDM 1.0
Worth reading: Allen, E.A. (2026). Pope Leo XIV: The biography. Penguin Random House.
Apology: My life is often a battle with technology and today was no different. I apologise for the delay with this Gospel Enquiry. Next week’s will be posted early to make up for the lateness of this one.