LORD JESUS CHRIST, SON OF THE LIVING GOD

XXI SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Matthew 16:13-20

We have passed just the middle of the Gospel of Matthew. By this time, following Jesus around, the disciples had already seen and heard a lot to have a fairly good idea about him. Indeed, if they were to continue Jesus’ mission, they had known the mission and the one who was sending them.

Jesus did not beat around the bush and went straight to the point. What did people say about him? Then and now, there are many different opinions about Jesus. Some even think that he did not exist, considering everything which is said about him as a myth. Others consider him as an extraordinary human person that left a big impact on human history. He deserves our respect like so many others of our ancestors, but we should not make him a divine being from whom our lives depend.

St. Peter, Parish Church of Tarouca

And then Jesus asked a second question, showing that he was not a populist and that he never cared for the approval of the crowds. If he asked the opinion of the people, it was to challenge the apostles to give their answer: “But you, who do you say I am?” This same question is asked to each one of us and Jesus expects us to answer. This question and the answer to it constitutes the heart (kernel) of the Christian faith.

Simon Peter was quick with his tongue and always ready to give his opinion. Without any delay, he answered: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” He had no doubts: Jesus was the Messiah, the One people were waiting for. However, like the other disciples and all the people of Israel, they had a very wrong idea and false expectations of the Messiah. Anyway, they were still learning and he would discover it the hard way. However, Jesus accepted his profession of faith, made possible by the Father who revealed him the truth. This simple profession of faith: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God, is the foundation of the Church, the rock upon which it is built. There is no Christian Church without this faith and we can find it throughout the New Testament. Jesus is the Son of God, he is the Saviour.

Let us ask the Lord to strengthen our faith.