The Inside Story

Today’s readings can be a bit confusing to those of us who are older cradle Catholics with memories of the Catechism by rote and respect for the Pope. Today’s readings seem to eliminate the need for teachers and also put the first Pope, St. Peter, in an unflattering light (our Lord calls him “Satan”).

The key to understanding today’s readings is the last line of the Gospel passage: “You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

Human beings focus on externals. The ancient covenant focused on external observance as fundamental to the relationship with God. Today’s first reading shifts the focus to internal observance as fundamental to the relationship with God (from which deeds of righteousness, justice and mercy necessarily flow).

Our relationship with God is ultimately a gift bestowed by grace through the Holy Spirit: externals are signs and instruments, necessary but not central. Peter saw signs of Christ’s divinity, but it was really God’s grace that enabled him to see and profess Jesus as the Son of the Living God. We have earthly teachers, but it is ultimately God who makes our relationship with Him come to life.

People thinking only on the human level see the first reading as freeing them from external structures of any kind, leaving them free to follow their own whims. Even Peter, despite his insight into Christ’s identity, thought the Messianic age meant freedom from anything unpleasant.

“You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

Peter learned. He followed Christ inside and out. Will we?