“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
Today we are listening to one of the most important (in my opinion) passages from the Gospel. Jesus' conversation with his disciples ... Caesarea Philippi ... And an important question: Who do people say the Son of Man is? The Apostles are great reporters. Like modern surveying workers answer: Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. Today, it would also be easy to answer for others. To conduct a survey among us about our degree of religious commitment, knowledge of the truths of faith, etc. And often many experts comment on these topics. Sometimes priests from the pulpit also quote statistics. However, Jesus does not ask his disciples "who do people think I am?" out of sheer curiosity ... This question is an introduction to another question. A much more important one. And who do you say that I am?
And here's the problem. You can guess that there was a horrifying silence on this question. None of the disciples wanted to speak; they were afraid. It's such a test of faith. Who do you think Jesus is? No: what others think about Him. It is much easier to express myself for others. Sometimes under the slogan "others" you can discreetly sneak your own ideas and test what is going on. But when the question is asked: Who do YOU think Jesus is; then there is a problem.
In the Gospel, the disciples are saved by Simon Peter who confesses: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Confessing this truth does not come by itself. We see it clearly in Jesus' answer: Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. ...You didn't come to these conclusions alone, based on your thoughts, analyzes, etc. but God inspired you. You are blessed because you believed and you spoke aloud what was born in the heart from God's inspiration. On the basis of this one sentence, we know that we, ourselves will not speak this truth loud. The truth that Jesus is the Messiah. Only by divine inspiration.
Looking rationally by analyzing the historical facts we will not know this Truth. We will get to know it only with God's help. We read in one of the apostolic letters: Without the help of the Holy Spirit, we cannot confess that Jesus is Lord. And here, in this passage from the Gospel, we have confirmation of this.
But let's look further at today's passage: Well, I also 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. Jesus calls Peter to a specific role ... He says: on You I will build my Church. Because you believed in God's inspiration. Because you confessed the truth: Jesus is the Messiah. You will be the Rock upon which the Church will rise. You will be the foundation.
How does this relate to us and our lives? Each of us must one day answer the question: Who do I consider Jesus to be? and even if you were a believer from generation to generation. It is after all you have to answer this question... Because on the one hand, you can go to Church and pray, but at the same time to treat Jesus as an abstract figure ... distant ... fairy-tale ... or even symbolic.
We can treat God in the same way. However, if our faith is an authentic experience, then everything takes on a completely different meaning ... If you experience God's Love, if you experience that Jesus is the Lord of your life, the answer to the question "And who do you think I am?" it will come easily to you. However, if you are unable to answer this question without hesitation, ask for the Grace to experience WHO Jesus is.
Until Tomorrow
fr. george