In today’s Gospel Jesus brings His disciples a question that still echoes through every church, every home,and every human heart.Who do people say that the Son of Man is?
Sermon
The disciples answer by reporting what others are saying . Some say John the Baptist.Others say Jeremiah or one of the prophets.People respected Jesus.They recognized that there was something extraordinary about him.Yet their answer were not enough.Jesus does not conduct an opion poll.Therefore,he makes the question personal.
But who do you say that I am? Peter gives a completely different answer.You are Christ,the Son of the living God.He confesses that Jesus is the Messiah.Jesus responded.Blessed are you Simon son of John.For flesh and blood has not revaled this you,but my heavenly Father.
Faith is more than human knowledge.We can read books about Jesus.We can study theology.We can know the Bible and the history of Christianity.All this is valuable.But there is different between knowing something about Jesus and knowing Jesus.
Imagine that Jesus stands before each one of us today and ask;And you who do you say that I am? We cannot hide the faith of other people.We cannot answer:My parents believed in you.My grandparents were good Catholics.The Church teaches that you are the Son of God.
Jesus ask me:Who am I for you? And our true answer is not given only by our lips. It is given by the way we live.If If Jesus is truly my Lord,does he have a place in my decision? If Jesus is the Son of God,do listen to his words even when they are difficult? If Jesus is my Savior,do I trust him when suffering entters my life? If Jesus is present in my neighbor,how do I treat the person who annoys me,disappoints me,or needs my help?
After Peter’s confession, Jesus gives him a new mission.You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church.Peter is certainly not perfect.During the Passion,he will even deny three times that he knows Jesus.And yet Jesus entrust him with an extraordinary responsibility.
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