August 23

Peter's Confession
About Jesus
Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20



Today's Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20
(Peter’s Confession About Jesus)

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so, I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Messiah.

Reflection:

Jesus doesn't ask what the crowds are saying about Him. He already knows the answer, and it's all wrong: John the Baptist, Elias, one of the prophets. He wants to know what Simon Peter himself believes, standing right in front of Him. Who do you say that I am?

That's the question every single person eventually has to answer for themselves, and no amount of secondhand faith can be substituted for it. You can grow up surrounded by believers, hear scripture and Jesus’ name your whole life, and still never actually answer that question in your own heart the way Peter answered it.

Peter's answer wasn't cleverness. Jesus tells him flesh and blood didn't reveal it, but that his Father in heaven did. It was a grace, given to a fisherman with a sincere love and belief for Jesus, that man became the rock the whole Church would stand on.

Our Lady never had to be asked that question the way Peter was, because she never doubted who her Son was for a single moment of her life, from the angel's announcement to the foot of the cross. She's proof that the answer, once truly given, doesn't waver even under the worst circumstances imaginable.

Whom do you say that Jesus is- not what you were told to say, but what you actually believe when no one is listening?



Rosary Man Jim 🌹
Freely given. Freely shared.

Location: Tonawanda, NY 14150, USA

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