Weekly Gospel Reflection
Matthew 16:13-20 - What do you say I am ?
In this week's Gospel, Jesus poses a fundamental question to his disciples: "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter speaks up and affirms that Jesus is the Christ. In response, Jesus tells Peter, "You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my Church." He then instructs his disciples not to share this revelation with others.
Throughout the Gospels, the disciples are portrayed as imperfect individuals. They often struggle to comprehend Jesus' identity and repeatedly face challenges. For instance, Peter denies Jesus three times, they fall asleep during crucial moments, and they wake Jesus during a storm. These human experiences allow readers to accompany them in their journey of discovering who Jesus truly is. The Bible itself unfolds as a process of discovery for the reader.
Consider the analogy of a comedian telling a joke. While the phrasing and emphasis may vary, the punchline remains the same. Despite the small changes, we arrive at the point at the end of the joke.
In a similar way, the Gospel writers are storytellers. Each writer speaks to distinct audiences and emphasizes different aspects, yet all lead readers on a journey to answer the question: Who was Jesus?
In the context of Jesus' time, he defied expectations. The Jews weren't anticipating someone like Jesus. Some awaited a Davidic figure to lead the Jewish people, while others hoped for an Elijah to overthrow the Romans. In a sense, they were partially correct. Jesus' message didn't pertain solely to the Jewish region, and liberation wouldn't occur through revolution.
The Transfiguration sheds light on Jesus' identity. The disciples witness Jesus conversing with Moses and Elijah, Old Testament prophets. Jesus fulfills the prophetic Scriptures. This understanding deepens with his death and resurrection. Jesus' death isn't merely akin to Moses' sacrificial lamb for the Jews' liberation from Egypt; rather, he is a universal sacrifice for all people throughout history. During Mass, we commemorate this sacrifice as if it were happening anew.
So, who do we proclaim Jesus to be? For some, he's a historical figure with undeniable influence on history. Muslims regard Jesus as a revered prophet akin to those from the Old Testament. As Christians, we recognize Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah.
This week urges us to ponder not only our faith in Jesus but also our own identity. Who do we want ourselves to be? What kind of person do we want to become?
In these coming days, take time to reflect on the significance of Jesus in your life. This could involve delving into Jesus' life and historical context, seeking input from others about your perceived qualities for personal growth, or discussing your faith's significance with friends and family.
I adore you because you are the one true and living God. You created this world and everything in it. You created me in your image and put breath in my lungs. With my voice I will proclaim your name, Lord over all. Let everything that has breath praise you!