In this Sunday's lectionary reading, the Gospel of Matthew reminds us that Jesus literally sets his face, his life, his feet to Jerusalem, going to his death and subsequent resurrection:
From that time on Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!" Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." (Matthew 16:21-23)
Of course, Peter couldn't understand what kind of pilgrimage they were all on as they followed the Christ. Peter wanted to pre-empt salvation's story, but rebuking the Creator of heaven and earth. Peter, who had just received the beatitude of life, being called "blessed," did not understand or comprehend what Jesus, and only Jesus, had to do and could do. The pilgrimage of his earthly ministry had to move forward. There was no turning back, regardless of what the disciples said or did.
The journey continues!
Buen camino!
Pilgrim peace,
Brett
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