REFLECTION

Gospel 

Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter,  and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.                                                                               

Matthew 16: 13-20

Reflection

“But who do you say that I am?”

Though this question is posed to Jesus’ narrative audience, his disciples, it is a powerful query upon us as well today. Who do we say Jesus is? And the question is even more resonant if we embrace the fullness of what it means to “speak” or “say” in this context. It just may be that the lives we lead in light of our hopes in the Messiah are just as critical as that which we confess with words, no matter how true or elegant. That is, as we answer this life-altering question, the shape of our lives may be as important as the words our lips voice.                                                                                                  

Gospel writers are not just interested in correctly defining who Jesus is but also in shaping a community moulded in light of his actions and teachings. And so these questions of identity are not just a matter of definition but of formation, not just doctrine but discipleship.

In this week’s pericope, these questions of Jesus’ identity are stated as sharply as any other account of Jesus’ ministry. Gathered in Caesarea Philippi, Jesus wonders aloud what the crowds are saying about him but more importantly what the disciples think. It’s another way of saying, “Why are you following me? Why have you left everything you know? Who do you say that I am?” And so it might be worthwhile to ask the faithful today a similar question. Why are you here? Why have you chosen to follow this Galilean peasant? Why are you on this path?

Jesus is telling Peter that he will be granted the keys and awesome authority of heaven to live his life in peace and harmony on earth in such a way that it will bless others for all eternity.

The second thing Jesus told Peter that he could do with the keys of the kingdom is whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven. Just as keys can bind and lock things away for safekeeping, they can also be used to unlock things for use now. Jesus was telling Peter that with these keys, he could have access to heaven’s storehouses and loosen the things of heaven on earth. Heaven would be equipped and provide for whatever needs Peter had on earth.

Perhaps the moral of this story is, don't fast forward through life; you'll miss all the good stuff along the way. Remember the past, but live for today and strive for an even better tomorrow. The story of your life is in your hands. You alone have the power to write the next chapter.

Julie Leonard Religious Education Leader/Wellbeing Leader