Get behind me, Satan! 撒殚，退到我后面去！
- 1 day ago
- 10 min read
Today Jesus says to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me" (Matthew 16:23). How can the rock [Peter] become an obstacle? Peter has identified Jesus correctly, but he has not accepted the road Jesus has chosen. We invite you to read more in Fr. Joseph Ruan's latest bilingual Scripture reflection, included below in Chinese and then in English:
Scripture Reflection in Chinese
常年期第二十二主日（甲年）
上个主日，伯多禄宣认耶稣是“默西亚、永生天主之子”，耶稣也对他说：“你是伯多禄，在这磐石上，我要建立我的教会”（玛16:16-18）。然而，今天的福音却急转直下。耶稣对同一个伯多禄说：“撒殚，退到我后面去！你是我的绊脚石”（玛16:23）。 磐石怎么会成为绊脚石？关键在于：伯多禄虽然正确说出了耶稣是谁，却还没有接受耶稣所选择的道路。他承认耶稣是默西亚，却无法接受一位将要受苦、被杀的默西亚。
今天的福音以一句重要的话展开：“从那时起，耶稣开始向门徒说明，他必须上耶路撒冷去……”（玛16:21）。“从那时起”标志着玛窦福音叙事的重大转折。耶稣开始公开宣讲时，玛窦也曾使用同样的表达：“从那时起，耶稣开始宣讲说：你们悔改吧！因为天国临近了”（玛4:17）。如今，门徒已经开始认识耶稣的身份；接下来，他们还必须明白耶稣将怎样完成默西亚的使命。
耶稣告诉他们，他“必须”上耶路撒冷，受许多苦，被杀，并在第三天复活（玛16:21）。这里的“必须”，并不是说圣父喜爱苦难或死亡，而是指出耶稣对圣父旨意坚定不移的服从。面对人类的罪恶、拒绝和暴力，他仍要把爱贯彻到底。他不会以暴力回应暴力，也不会为了保全自己而放弃使命。十字架揭露了罪恶的残酷，也彰显出天主的爱比罪恶更有力量。死亡绝不是最后一句话，因为耶稣在预告苦难和死亡的同时，也清楚地说：“第三天他要复活”（玛16:21；参阅格前15:3-4）。
可是，伯多禄似乎只听见了苦难和死亡，没有听见复活。他把耶稣拉到一边，劝谏他说：“主啊，千万不可这样！”（玛16:22）这句话听来情真意切，也完全合乎人情。谁愿意看见自己所爱的人受苦？然而，伯多禄所希望的，是一种没有十字架的胜利、一种不必付出代价的光荣。他试图替耶稣安排另一条默西亚的道路：避开耶路撒冷，避开受难，直接进入成功与荣耀。
耶稣的回答一针见血：“你所体认的，不是天主的事，而是人的事”（玛16:23）。伯多禄的问题，不是他不爱耶稣，而是他的思想仍然受到世俗成功标准的支配。他想象中的救主应该势如破竹，战胜敌人，使跟随他的人扬眉吐气。这种思想与旷野中诱惑耶稣的声音彼此呼应：取得权势，显示能力，选择捷径，不经过十字架便获得光荣。耶稣曾在旷野中斥退魔鬼（玛4:8-10）；如今，他也拒绝借着伯多禄的话再次出现的同一种诱惑。但是，“退到我后面去”还有更深一层的意义。门徒的位置，本来就在师傅后面。伯多禄却走到耶稣前面，试图告诉耶稣应该往哪里去，甚至要替他决定怎样成为默西亚。
因此，耶稣命令伯多禄回到门徒的位置：“不要走在我前面替我决定方向；退到我后面，重新学习跟随。” 耶稣严厉责备伯多禄，并不是要抛弃他，而是要纠正他、召回他。即使门徒曾经误解、软弱或跌倒，只要愿意回应召叫，仍然可以回到耶稣后面，重新学习做一个跟随者。
随后，耶稣把这条道路向所有门徒展开：“如果有人愿意跟随我，就该舍弃自己，背着他的十字架来跟随我”（玛16:24）。“舍弃自己”并不等于轻视自己的价值，更不表示任由别人伤害、操纵或虐待自己。舍弃自己，是不再把自我当作生活唯一的中心；是不再只问“这对我有什么好处”，而开始让天主的旨意、福音的真理和近人的需要进入我们的选择。玛窦福音所说的十字架，是当时罗马世界中羞辱、痛苦和死亡的刑具。因此，耶稣使用这个强烈的形象，是要告诉门徒：忠于福音不是一句轻松的口号，而是必须付出真实的代价。
今天的第一篇读经让我们看见，耶肋米亚先知早已亲身经历了这种代价。他奉命指出犹大的罪恶，警告耶路撒冷即将面对灾难，因此遭受打击、排斥和公开羞辱（参阅耶19:14—20:6）。他向天主倾诉：“上主的话，天天为我成为受侮辱和讥笑的原因”（耶20:8）。他曾想保持沉默，不再奉天主的名发言；可是，天主的话在他心中“像有烈火在焚烧，封闭在我的骨髓里”（耶20:9）。
这是一位疲惫先知的真切告白。他没有假装自己毫无痛苦，也没有掩饰内心的挣扎。他会抱怨，会疲倦，甚至想要逃避；可是，天主的话已经牢牢抓住了他。最终，他无法背弃自己的召叫。耶肋米亚心中的烈火，也照亮了基督徒背十字架的意义。门徒的十字架，常常出现在忠于天主圣言的时刻：在众人保持沉默时讲诚实的话；在欺骗能够带来利益时坚持正直；在别人以怨报怨时选择宽恕；在照顾病人、长者和弱小者时持之以恒；在信仰受到嘲笑时，仍然温和而坚定地为福音作证。这些选择未必轰轰烈烈，却能在日积月累中，使我们的生命成为“生活、圣洁和悦乐天主的祭品”（罗12:1）。
在今天的读经二中，圣保禄劝勉我们献上自己的“身体”。这里的“身体”，包含我们整个具体的生活：我们怎样使用时间，双手从事什么工作，口舌说什么话，如何安排金钱，以及怎样对待身边的人。基督徒的敬礼不会在弥撒结束时停止。在祭台前，我们领受为我们交付的基督；走出圣堂以后，我们也蒙召把自己的生活与基督的祭献结合起来（参阅格前10:16-17；罗12:1）。于是，病床旁的守候、家庭中的忍耐、工作中的正直、对贫困者的援助，以及无人看见时仍然作出的善良选择，都能成为献给天主的祭品。
圣保禄继而劝勉我们：“不可与这世界同化，但要以更新的心思意念变化自己”（罗12:2）。世界不断告诉我们：先保护自己，先维护面子，先取得更多，先确保自己不吃亏。耶稣却问：“人纵然赚得了全世界，却赔上了自己的灵魂，为他有什么益处？”（玛16:26）这句话邀请我们停下来省察：我正在追求的东西，会使我更接近天主，还是使我的心日渐枯竭？我害怕失去的东西，是否已经成了束缚？我在作决定时，究竟是福音的真理占上风，还是面子、恐惧、利益和控制的欲望占上风？
答唱咏指出了门徒能够继续跟随耶稣的深层动力：“上主，我的天主，我的灵魂渴慕你”（咏63:2）。如果我们只把十字架看成一种负担，很快便会心灰意冷。唯有当我们的灵魂尝到天主的慈爱“比生命更为宝贵”，我们才能依偎在他的护翼之下，坚持前行（参阅咏63:4,8-9）。
我们愿意背起十字架，并不是因为我们喜爱痛苦，而是因为我们已经遇见那位值得我们交付生命的主耶稣。我们相信，与基督一同舍弃的，不会真正失落；在基督内交付的生命，反而会得到成全。
今天，耶稣也对我们说：“退到我后面去。” 让我们放下事事掌控的执念，回到门徒的位置。不要要求耶稣跟随我们的计划，而要学习在他的身后行走。即使我们曾像伯多禄一样误解主耶稣，曾经患得患失，曾在十字架前退缩，耶稣仍然召叫我们重新跟随他。前面的道路会经过耶路撒冷和加尔瓦略山，但不会停留在那里；这条道路必将通向复活。谁愿意把生命交托给基督，谁就会在他内找到真正自由而丰盛的生命。
Scripture Reflection in English
Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
Last Sunday, Peter confessed Jesus to be "the Christ, the Son of the living God," and Jesus praised him: "You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church" (Matthew 16:16-18). Today Jesus says to the same Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me" (Matthew 16:23). How can the rock become an obstacle? Peter has identified Jesus correctly, but he has not accepted the road Jesus has chosen.
Matthew introduces today's Gospel with the words, "From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem" (Matthew 16:21). Matthew used similar words when Jesus began his public preaching: "From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand'" (Matthew 4:17). This is a decisive transition. The disciples know who Jesus is; now they must learn how he will fulfill his messianic mission.
Jesus says that he "must" go to Jerusalem, suffer greatly, be killed, and be raised on the third day (Matthew 16:21). This "must" points to his unwavering obedience to the Father's saving will. Faced with human sin and violence, Jesus will love to the end. The cross exposes sin's cruelty and reveals a stronger divine love. Death will not conclude the story, for Jesus promises that "on the third day" he will be raised (Matthew 16:21; see 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
Peter hears that Jesus will suffer and die, but seems not to hear the promise of resurrection. He takes Jesus aside and rebukes him: "God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you" (Matthew 16:22). Who wants to see someone he loves suffer? Yet Peter is arranging a messianic road that avoids the cross. He desires victory but cannot accept self-giving; he longs for glory but wants to escape obedience.
Jesus answers with piercing clarity: "You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do" (Matthew 16:23). Peter is still governed by worldly standards of success. He expects a Savior who will sweep away enemies and honor his followers. This echoes the desert temptation: seize power, display strength, and take the easier road. Jesus rejected the devil there (Matthew 4:8-10), and he rejects the same temptation in Peter's words.
The command "Get behind me" carries another meaning. A disciple belongs behind the master. Peter has stepped in front and is trying to decide which road Jesus should take. Jesus calls him back: do not determine my direction; come behind me and learn again to follow. The rebuke is severe, yet Jesus does not abandon Peter. A disciple who stumbles can still return to the place of a follower.
Jesus then opens this road to every disciple: "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me" (Matthew 16:24). To deny oneself does not mean despising the dignity God has given us or allowing others to abuse us. It means refusing to make the self the center of life. God's will, the needs of our neighbor, and the truth of the Gospel are allowed to shape our choices.
The cross in Matthew's Gospel cannot be reduced to every inconvenience. In the Roman world, it was an instrument of public shame, suffering, and death. Jesus chooses this forceful image to teach that fidelity to the Gospel may carry a real cost.
Jeremiah had experienced such a cost. Called to expose Judah's sin and warn Jerusalem, he was beaten and publicly humiliated (Jeremiah 19:14-20:6). He cried, "The word of the LORD has brought me derision and reproach all the day" (Jeremiah 20:8). He considered silence, but the word became "like fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones" (Jeremiah 20:9). God's word has taken hold of this exhausted prophet. He complains and struggles, yet cannot betray the call entrusted to him.
The fire in Jeremiah's heart illuminates the disciple's cross. It appears in speaking honestly when others remain silent; refusing profitable deception; choosing forgiveness; persevering in care of the sick, the elderly, and the vulnerable; and bearing gentle but steadfast witness when faith is mocked. These choices may attract little attention, yet day by day they become a "living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God" (Romans 12:1).
In the second reading, Saint Paul's reference to our "bodies" embraces the whole of our concrete life: how we use our time, what work our hands perform, what words our mouths speak, how we manage money, and how we treat the people near us. Christian worship does not stop when Mass ends. At the altar we receive Christ, who gives himself for us, and we unite our own lives with his sacrifice (see 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; Romans 12:1). Keeping watch beside a hospital bed, practicing patience at home, acting with integrity at work, and assisting the poor can all become offerings presented to God.
Paul continues, "Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind" (Romans 12:2). The world repeatedly urges us to protect ourselves first, defend our image, and acquire more. Jesus asks a very different question: "What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?" (Matthew 16:26). His question invites a serious examination. Are the things I pursue drawing me closer to God, or are they leaving my heart increasingly barren? Has what I fear losing already become a chain? When I make my decisions, who is walking in front?
The responsorial psalm reveals the deep motive that enables a disciple to follow: "My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God" (Psalm 63:2). A person who sees the cross only as a burden will soon lose heart. We can persevere beneath the shadow of God's wings because we have tasted his kindness, "a greater good than life" (Psalm 63:4, 8-9). Christians take up the cross because they have encountered the Lord Jesus, who is worthy of the gift of their lives.
Today Jesus also says to us, "Get behind me." He invites us to release the desire to control everything and return to the place of a disciple. We may have misunderstood the Lord as Peter did. We may have been ruled by fear of loss or stepped back when we saw the cross. Jesus still calls us to follow him. The road ahead passes through Jerusalem and Calvary, but it leads to the resurrection. Whoever entrusts life to Christ will find in him the life that is truly abundant.
Fr. (Joseph) Guozhang Ruan was born and ordained in China. After serving in parish ministry in the Diocese of Mindong, Fujian, he pursued advanced studies in moral theology in Rome, earning a doctorate from the Pontifical Lateran University. Since coming to the United States in 2004, he has served in several parishes in the Archdiocese of New York. He is currently the Director of the Chinese Apostolate for the Archdiocese of New York and Parochial Vicar of Holy Rosary Church on Staten Island. His ministry focuses on serving Chinese Catholics, promoting evangelization, and fostering greater understanding between the Church in China and the universal Church.
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