Acts 12: 1- 11,
Ps 34:2-3.4-5.6-7.5-9,
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17- 18,
Matthew 16:13-19 Full Readings
Who is Jesus to You?
Today we celebrate the solemnity of two great apostles, Peter was chosen by the Lord to be the leader of the Church and given the task to preach the Gospel especially among the Jewish communities. Paul became the chosen instrument of God to bring the Good News to the whole world. In the process of conversion, both apostles experienced the gratuitous compassion and forgiveness of the Lord. They are our ancestors in the faith, the ones who have handed over to us the message of life.
Today in many churches of the East and West the Apostles Peter and Paul are commemorated. Both were martyred in Rome in the first century. They tirelessly worked for the spread of the gospel, not only to the people of Israel, but to all the nations as well. They risked their lives in the process and gladly poured out their blood in loyalty to their Master, the Lord Jesus Christ. As Paul so eloquently stated in his second epistle to Timothy (today's second reading), they courageously fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).
Peter and Paul, the two greatest pillars of the church remain for us models of a faith lived in its totality. Peter is the rock on whom Jesus built his Church and Paul defended it by giving his own life. When Jesus asked his disciples ‘Who do you say that I am?', it was Peter who spoke up and acknowledged that he is ‘the Christ, the Son of the living God’. What matters to Jesus is not who he is to others but who each of us thinks he is. Peter, though faltering many times, will get up to accept Jesus as his Messiah and will proclaim him crucified even at the cost of his very life.
Saul, who was determined to annihilate anyone who took the name of Jesus, became a fierce defender of the faith when he personally came in contact with Jesus. He lived Jesus and his gospel to the extent that he was able to proclaim “it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me”. He reiterates his personal transformation into Christ Jesus when he challenges us thus: “Be imitators of me as I am of Christ”. Perhaps there is no other disciple who identified with Jesus in life more than Paul.
Peter and Paul became for us not merely models of faith but persons who dared to leave their ideologies, ambitions and expectations to live and proclaim Jesus. They experienced Jesus personally, lived him radically, resolutely and uncompromisingly preached him and gave their lives to show the world Jesus their saviour is greater than life! They did everything in him who strengthened them to carry on Jesus’ mission here on earth.
Who do you say I am?
How firm is your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ? At an opportune time Jesus tested his disciples with a crucial question: Who do men say that I am and who do you say that I am? (Matthew 16:13). Jesus was widely recognized in Israel as a mighty man of God, even being compared with the greatest of the prophets, John the Baptist, Elijah, and Jeremiah. Peter, always quick to respond, exclaimed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God. This question is for each one of us today, Who is Jesus you? At least you should have an answer, unless may be you have not experienced Jesus and have no faith in Him.
Through the gift of faith Peter recognized that Jesus was the "anointed one" (in Hebrew and Greek the word is translated as Messiah and Christ), and the only begotten Son of God sent by the Father in heaven to redeem a fallen human race. No mortal being could have revealed this to Peter; but only God. Jesus then conferred on Peter authority to govern the church that Jesus would build [which Peter describes as a people redeemed with the precious blood of Christ - First Letter of Peter 1:19], a church that no powers could overcome. Jesus played on Peter's name which is the same word for "rock" in both Aramaic and Greek.
To call someone a "rock" is one of the greatest of compliments. The ancient rabbis had a saying that when God saw Abraham, he exclaimed: "I have discovered a rock to found the world upon." Abraham put his trust in God and made God's word the foundation of his life and the bedrock of his faith. Through Abraham God established a nation for himself. Through faith Peter grasped who Jesus truly was. He was the first apostle to proclaim that Jesus was truly the Anointed One (Messiah and Christ) and the only begotten Son of God.
Then he was given the keys of heaven that whatever he binds on earth will be bound also in heaven. This means Peter was given full responsibility to teach what will take all of us to heaven. These keys are handed over to the successors of Peter, the Pope. This is the reason why we speak of the infallibility of the Pope (no error in what he teaches when seated on the cathedral) for it is the Holy Spirit guiding him.
Reflect today on who Jesus is in your life? How much faith do you have in Him? Can He make you a rock, a living stone, like Peter? The New Testament describes the church, the people of God, as a spiritual house and temple of the Holy Spirit with each member joined together as living stones (see 1 Peter 2:5). Faith in Jesus Christ makes us rocks - spiritual stones. Pray that you may always recognize Jesus in your life and become a living stone.
Let us pray
Lord Jesus, I profess and believe that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. You are my Lord and my Savior who has set me free from sin and deception. Make my faith strong like the Apostles Peter and Paul and give me boldness to speak of you to others that they may come to know you as Lord and Savior. Amen.
Saints Peter and Paul, pray for us.Be Blessed
Sts Peter and Paul, Pray for us
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