Set Your Mind on Divine Things – Reflection on Matthew 16:21-27
Saint Peter needed help to see that his human thinking had penetrated his spiritual journey with Jesus. We suffer from the same problem as Peter of fitting into a world filled with temptations disrupting our spiritual life. We can be positively affected by belonging to a community that deeply prays and being a Christian guided by Trinity within. To set your mind on Divine things means, among other things, you have the ability to repeat Jesus’s words: “Get behind me, Satan.” We can also allow our whole being to embrace God’s will. Since we have found Christ, His help and examples give us direction and the ability to lead or follow, as necessary. We can reduce evil’s influence by using our gifts to benefit others’ physical or spiritual needs.
Get Thee Behind Me Satan by James Tissot (full resolution painting)
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Matthew 16:21-27 – Scripture*
Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
21 From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
The Cross and Self-Denial
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?
27 “For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on Matthew 16:21-27 Reflection – Set Your Mind on Divine Things.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these types of expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible Matthew 16 passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Brooklyn Museum Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.
Facebook discussion group on St. John of the Cross.
Facebook page on Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
This Lectio Reflection on Matthew 16:21-27 Reflection on Set Your Mind on Divine Things is in the Lectionary season of Ordinary Time.
Additional Lectio Divina Scripture reflections are available by season.
Affiliations