JUST BEHIND HIM, NO BACKING OFF - A: 22nd Sun in OrdTime

Gospel: Mt 16:21-27 (3 Sept 2017)

“Get behind me, Satan!” (Mt 16:23).

These were the words of Jesus to Peter after the latter tried to impede the plan of God. The Greek name “Satan” is originally derived from the Hebrew lexeme for “adversary”—hence becoming equated with the concept of “enemy of God.” However, quite disturbing is its implication: if Peter is being called a “Satan” by Jesus himself, how can he have the credibility to be respected and obeyed by the Catholic faithful to whom he is appointed as spiritual head (Mt 16:18-20)? How, then, can a blind guide lead another?

Moral credibility is asked of all kinds of leaders. Without it, members of any group will be at a lost. They will be like sheep without a shepherd in the midst of a dangerous wilderness. Yet, having one is a tall task since there is no man who is perfect and is exempt from failing and sinning. All leaders are sinners too!

It is only Christ who is the perfect leader; we are merely sharing his ministry. He is the one true guide; we only try our best to imitate him.

We can understand this better if we analyze closely the prepositional phrase “behind me” in Mt 16:23. This is implied in the modern English as something like “out of my way” or “back off” which is also the explanation of most commentators, turning Peter into an adversary of God. However, if we look at the Greek text for “behind me” (“opiso mou”) side-by-side its 4 other occurrences in the Gospel of Matthew, we find out that it is used within the context of discipleship:

3:11 - “I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me.”

4:19 - “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.”

10:38 – “And whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”

16:24 – “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

Conclusively, the Matthean use of “opiso mou” as well as all evangelists is best reckoned in the context of the painstaking process of following Jesus. No leader is chosen on account of the merits of his/her own skills or qualifications. Everyone has weaknesses.

But this doesn’t stop us from trusting on human leaders as long as they can be seen as persistent in their commitment to follow Christ’s example which stands as the template for true leadership.

Historically, the Philippine Church has been at the forefront of moral crusades against government corruption, abuse of basic human rights, and promotion of practices contrary to God-values. The epitome of it is the Fall of the 2-decade-long Marcos Dictatorship in February 1986, led by the leadership of the late Jaime Cardinal Sin. Groundbreaking in world history is its so-called First Unbloody Revolution that happened in EDSA, when Filipinos of all walks of life gathered together to voice their opposition against the hegemony. Sadly, its spirit nowadays is slowly undermined. Revisionists try to rewrite history by saying that Marcos is the best president and Mr. Duterte is the next big thing manifested clearly in his dictatorship-like rule.

When Church leaders begin to speak against him, the President would retort by assassinating the characters of some of them highlighting the many sexual abuses the clergy committed against the innocent. How, then, can they speak of morality if they themselves are immoral? They should back off from political issues and just remain in the confessional box. As a rejoinder, we argue:

Indeed, we do not deny that we are sinners and so are all leaders and members; but this reality does not change the fact that we should follow God’s order of things and promote his values.

Peter can potentially be a Satan, and so are all priests and leaders. But all should be conscientious that the true meaning of our existence on earth is hinged on how we persevere in following the way of the Lord… he in front while we stay always just behind him. Hence, there is no backing off!

- Rex Fortes, CM