What is the Church Thinking?

"Do not make me get all Old Testament on you!"

I have been reading a number of discussions about 'the Church' (read Roman Catholic Church) and it's trouble and the recent (past 50-100years) history. One can blame Karol or Joe or any number of people. One can blame the priests, the hierarchy, the Magisterium. Then...then I read today's gospel reading. 

And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And He was stating the matter plainly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” (Mark 8:31-33)

So Christ has some unpleasant truths which he lays out to his followers.  Peter, the first pope of the Roman Church, starts to school Jesus.  Christ's reply?  He schools Peter, saying that he's not thinking about God, but man.  You don't have your eyes on the big picture, just your part in it.

This trouble permeates to the core of the RC sexual abuse scandal.  One Belgian arch-bishop is quoted as saying, "we couldn't come forward with the abuse (which was known about for decades).  It would expose the church to nearly unlimited legal liability".  So, doing what is right takes second seat to what is financially and legally prudent.  Man's interests come before God's.

Isn't that the trouble with Peter's church?
With most all of the churches these days? 
They're not thinking about God's interests, but man's.

But....if WE are the Church...then shouldn't we step up to the plate and make sure we're all thinking about what God wants instead of what we want?


Just sayin.