1 Peter 5:1-4;
Psalm 23:1 -3a.3b-4.5.b;
Matthew 16:13-19 Full Readings
Who is Jesus to You?
Today we celebrate the ‘Chair of Saint Peter’. The Chair of Saint Peter represents the authority Jesus gave to Peter among the twelve apostles as their leader. Today’s Gospel brings into focus the election of Peter and his successors. When Jesus asked his disciples their perception and the peoples’ perception of him, he received several answers. It was only Simon who answered “you are the Son of the living God.” Instantly, Jesus reminded Simon that his answer was a revelation from God. Nonetheless, he changed his name from Simon to Peter, and placed authority and responsibility of the new people of God, the church, on him. It is incontrovertible to argue, as some often do, that Peter is not the first Pope. Jesus himself gave him this privilege, because it was revealed by the Father. We should always try to conform to the teachings of the church, for when the Church speaks through her leaders, it is Jesus that speaks. Listen.
Today’s Gospel presents a very fundamental question, Who is Jesus to You? to us the confession of Peter that Jesus is Christ the Son of Living God, with this confession Peter is renamed a Rock and that on this rock, it is where Jesus will build his church. He was then given the keys of heaven and whatever he would bind on earth would be bound in heaven and whatever he would unbind on earth would be unbound in heaven.
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 maybe 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 in the cathedral) for it is the Holy Spirit guiding him.
Peter’s experience should be our too. We know Jesus when we experience him, live with him, see his works in our lives and above all when we let the Holy Spirit be our leader and guide for by the Holy Spirit Peter confesses Jesus to be Christ. There is a reason why Jesus told his disciples not to tell others. This is because he wants everyone to experience him personally through his deeds and wonders which he does in our lives not just hearsay. Our experience for Jesus makes us name him; he may be a brother, a doctor, a healer, a saviour, a provider, or any other name according to the way you have experienced him. So dear brethren, Have you experienced Jesus personally? Who is Jesus to You? Knowing who Jesus is to you will deepen your relationship and love for 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.
Be blessed.
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