One of my mother’s frequent admonitions was “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.” I heard this phrase a lot when I was in my teens, usually when I said or did something I thought was well-meaning without thinking about the consequences; or when I intended to do something but forgot. I suspect that most of us have had similar experiences. There are many times when we intend to say or do what we think is right and it turns into a muddle. This is especially true when we hear something we don’t like, we don’t understand or is painful.
In today’s gospel from Matthew 16:21-27 Peter got caught in this trap of good intentions. Having just been told that he is the rock upon which Jesus will build his church and that he will receive the “keys to the kingdom of heaven,” Peter muddled it. When Jesus delivered the news that he would suffer, be killed and “on the third day be raised” Peter did his usual knee-jerk reaction. Without thinking his very human response was, "God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you." The author of Sirach wrote, “Do not find fault before making thorough enquiry; first reflect, then give a reprimand” (Sirach 11:7). At this stage of his life, Peter was not reflective.
Jesus’ statement about his suffering, death and resurrection was far beyond Peter’s capacity to understand. And when we reflect on this situation, we have to ask; how could Peter possibly have understood what Jesus meant? Peter’s understanding of the Messiah or Christos in Greek was the king of Israel, someone like King David or King Solomon who would rule a Jewish empire that was established by God. He did not understand that Jesus’ victory could only come through sacrifice, suffering, death and resurrection. He would not grasp Jesus’ meaning until after the resurrection.
St Paul tells us in today’s second reading from Romans 12:2, “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” If all of us follow St Paul’s advice, we will be less likely to pave the road to hell with our good and not so good intensions. Ultimately, St Peter learned this lesson. We can too.
Father, help us to seek the values
that will bring us lasting joy in this changing world.
in our desire for what you promise,
make us one in mind and heart.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.
Amen
