Last week we heard how Jesus entrusted the power of the keys to St Peter, but today he has to rebuke him.  Peter thinks in terms of an earthly kingdom.  He cannot comprehend that God’s plans include the cross for Jesus or martyrdom for himself and the other disciples.  That temptation faces all of us.  Until Pope Paul VI laid aside the Papal Tiara, Popes were crowned at the beginning of their reign but carried in front of them a Franciscan Friar carried a piece of smoking flax and chanted the words ‘Sic transit Gloria mundi’ – ‘Thus passes the glory of the world’.  A symbol can be laid aside but the temptation remains to take the short cut of using human power rather than the way of love and persuasion.  Sometimes this may be necessary for the good of others but it should always be the last resort.  Do we like to exercise power, to say ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to people just to show who is in control?