“Get Behind Me, Satan!”

Fr. Marcel Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

St. Mary of Assumption Church, Whittier, California

September 13, 2015

Jesus and his disciples were traveling to the villages of Caesarea Philippi when he  asked them two questions: the first, an easy question— “Who do people say that I am?” The second question, a challenging one— “Who do you say that I am?” The first question is about what they have heard about Jesus. It’s about other people’s notions, views and gossips about him. But the second question is about discipleship. Jesus was simply saying to them, “Hey guys, you have been listening to me preach and teach, you have seen me heal and cast out demons; you have seen me perform numerous miracles, signs and wonders. Now, judging from all you have witnessed, who do you think I am?” He was also asking them: “From all you have seen, witnessed, and experienced, can you commit to follow me?” On behalf of the disciples, Peter made a profound profession of faith, “You are the Christ (that is, the Messiah, the Savior)” Immediately after his declaration, Jesus taught them what being the Messiah is all about: that his Messianic rule isn’t about restoring the Kingdom of David by military might and bringing defeat to the Roman oppressors. He told them that he, the messiah must go to Jerusalem, suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,  be killed and on the third day be raised. Peter did not like what he heard. He was not impressed at all. It’s never a generally accepted norm for someone to wish or to predict doom and gloom upon himself or herself. So, out of protective love and concern, he took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him. As he was speaking, Jesus noticed that the Evil One has hijacked his thought. He realized that if anyone needed a casting and binding prayer, a deliverance prayer, a prayer of rebuke, it is not him but Peter. So, he exercised his ministry right away: “Get behind me, Satan! You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”  

But don’t be in a haste to blame Peter for not wanting any harm to come upon his Master. Don’t blame him for protecting the interest of his Master. Isn’t that what good friends do for each other? But God has already spoken through the mouth of Prophet Isaiah “…my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my way” (Isaiah 55:8). Jesus’ way was the way of the cross and thorns. His way was the way of redemptive suffering. He understood perfectly the principle of “no cross, no crown.” Many of us are like Peter. We are joyful and excited to hear about the peace, love, and joy that our faith can bring to us. We are glad to hear of prosperity, breakthrough, healing and deliverance that could come from believing in Jesus. We are definitely going to say a strong “Amen” at the end of the prayer for material blessings. Most Christians love to hear about financial breakthrough and prosperity, healing and miracles etc but once the topic of discussion is the cross, their interest level would drop low. Peter is like many of us who would prefer the theology of no cross, all crowns. But with his own life, Jesus teaches us that without the cross, there will be no crown. Without death, there will be no resurrection. In John 12:24, he says, “I tell you most solemnly, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”

Now, when Jesus said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan” did he in any way suggest that his friend was satanic? Absolutely not! Was he saying that Peter was an evil person? No, he did not! He sensed that the Devil had influenced the mind of Peter, and was telling him what to say. He noticed that Satan was trying to use his bosom friend to derail or prevent the work of God from moving forward. The Tempter was using Peter to talk Jesus out of his mission, part of which involved suffering and death. So, looking intently at Peter but beyond Peter, Jesus said, “Get behind me, Satan.” 

If there’s anyone who is trying to discourage you from giving yourself totally to God, you need to stand strong and say, “Get behind me, Satan.” If there’s any situation that wants to prevent you from keeping your eyes firmly fixed on Jesus, it’s time to say, “Get behind me, Satan.” To that voice urging you to hate, resent and discriminate, say to it, “Get behind me, Satan.” If someone is asking you not to forgive your offender, it’s time to say, “Get behind me, Satan.” If pain or sickness or difficulty in life is trying to make you lose faith, stand up and say, “Get behind me, Satan.” If anything or anyone has become an obstacle that’s preventing you from using your time, talent and treasure in the house of God, speak with Jesus, “Get behind me, Satan.” If you’ve become too busy to go to church and too busy to pray, then it’s time to say to whatever is taking the place of God in your life, “Get behind me, Satan.” Whatever it is that is talking you out of accomplishing God’s mission for you, God’s calling for you, speak up today, “Get behind me, Satan.”

May the devil always stay behind us and away from us!