Way of Life

The Branches

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. 
(Romans 12:2)

September 1, 2026

Hello Everyone — 

“From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.” (Mt 16:21)

Last weekend in the Gospel, we witnessed a crucial turning point in the Matthean Gospel regarding the Lord Jesus’ divine mission. It is a pivotal moment. There can be no looking backward as a result. The issue is not heaven and hell — but the immediate and long-range consequences of a personal choice and way of life. It is about integrity — about being a person in the here and now — as someone living in the present moment.

The shift of focus — the change in course — is about Jerusalem — Calvary — and the cross! Death awaits — even though Resurrection is foreshadowed. But Peter is not having it! His reaction is intense. However, Jesus’ rebuke to Peter is even more intense. The profundity of their disagreement is reflected in Jesus’ final accusation: “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” (Mt 16:23)

Our dear Peter has had quite a trajectory over the past few weekends of Sunday readings, hasn’t he? On the weekend of August 8-9, Peter asked to come to the Lord on the water — it started out pretty well — but then it took a turn. When doubt entered in, he quickly began to falter and sink.

Just last weekend, we witnessed a renaming — Simon becomes the “rock” based on his profession of faith. But now suddenly Peter is renamed “Satan.” He finds himself getting in the way. In this latest development, the ever-zealous Peter becomes the stumbling block in Jesus’ path. It becomes a critical moment of reflection for Peter. How will he embrace the rest of his discipleship? The same is true for us. In this exchange, we are given a reason to pause and reflect on our own spiritual journey.

The image is of two persons –— one of whom is walking on a path to reach a particular destination when the other places in his path a snare that could potentially cause the first to stumble and fall — thus putting that person’s goal out of reach. The divine plan has been booby-trapped, so to speak. For Jesus to call Peter a stumbling block is of no small consequence. It is stylistic of Matthew to make the very practical choices and actions of life the measure by which persons are judged. It is not a question of counting up individual acts and weighing the good ones over and against the bad ones. It is the whole tenor of one’s life — one’s overall style of life and sense of direction in life that will count in the end. 

Recall the final judgment scene which appears later in Matthew’s Gospel (25:31-46). It provides all kinds of specifics. But the unifying spirit is the choice of doing or not doing in favor of those who are least. Recall the judgment: “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Mt 25:40)

At this particular moment in Matthew’s narrative, Jesus faces the focal point of purpose and direction — the ultimate consequences of being who he is — and who he is intended to become for the world. The drama intensifies for salvation’s sake as Jesus looks forward to embracing his cross. But this shift in focus and direction is not only for Jesus. Through his own actions, Jesus establishes the pattern for all who are willing to choose him. His words are uncompromising: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mt 16:24)

Let’s be clear about one thing. Jesus does not want admirers — nor does he want fans. Jesus desires followers!! We see that play out in his rebuke of Peter. Jesus did not tell Peter, “Oh, get out of my face” or “Get lost.” Rather, Jesus tells him, “No, Peter, you missed the point. Get behind me!” In other words: “Follow me!”

May God’s grace assist us in renewing our resolve to follow Him, too. 

As I do for you, please pray for me,

Most Reverend Jeffrey S. Grob
Archbishop of Milwaukee