WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD

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

This Sunday’s gospel presents two themes that seem unrelated but are, in fact, deeply connected: the profession of faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, essential to the existence of the Church, and the leadership of the Church entrusted to Peter.

Jesus Christ and the proclamation of his Gospel are the sole reason the Church exists. Without Christ, there is no Church. He is the foundation, the cornerstone, the centre and the apex of the Church. Without Christ, the Church would be no more than a human enterprise or simply an NGO that cares for the people’s well-being. The Church is the assembly, the family and the body of those who believe in Jesus, that is, those who, answering Jesus’ call, have established a deep relationship with him. For them, life is meaningless without Jesus. The believers in Jesus are those who came to the same conclusion as Simon Peter, thus being able to give the same answer to Jesus’ personal question: Who do you say I am? There are many different answers about Jesus: the man from Nazareth, the carpenter, the son of Mary, the preacher, the prophet, a man of wisdom who ended up on the cross. For some, he is a false prophet who misled people and a blasphemer who deserved to die. Jesus was aware of the different opinions people held about him; that is why he asked a direct question to the apostles: And you, who do you say I am? Peter gave the answer that has been the disciples’ answer throughout centuries: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Today, two thousand years later, we repeat the same profession of faith, and we proclaim that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

The second part of the gospel speaks of leadership in the Church. The leadership is needed to uphold this essential profession of faith. Upon his profession of faith, Simon was called to guide the Church and to lead and protect her. He is the rock upon which the Church is built. When we reject this rock, the Church shakes and moves forward in deep and dangerous waters. He was given the keys; that is, the power to lock and unlock, to decide and to rule. The ministry entrusted to him is for the service of the Church. He is called to be the shepherd of the flock, leading it to green pastures and refreshing waters: “Feed my sheep.” (Jn 21:17)

Let us reaffirm our faith and renew our commitment as disciples of Jesus Christ. Let us pray as well for the Pope, who is entrusted with Peter’s ministry, that he may be a good shepherd, giving his life in the service of the sheep.