Gospel: Matthew
16:13-19
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 Christ,
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.”
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Reflection:
If
somebody would ask us this question: “Who is Jesus to you?” I am sure that our
answer will depend on how well we know Jesus. Some of us may answer that Jesus
is a friend who’s always there for us. Others may say that Jesus is a brother
who is always ready to help us.
Today the
church celebrates the Solemnity of Apostle Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Saint
Peter is the most prominent apostle; Jesus built and founded the church thru
him, he is also the leader of the twelve. Saint Paul was tasked to spread the
gospel to the gentiles. Both Saints unwaveringly shared with the ministry of
Jesus in spreading the good news at the cost of their lives.
In the
gospel Jesus posed this question to His disciples, “Who do people say that the
Son of Man is (Matthew 16:13)?” the disciples were not able to answer. Then
Jesus asked the apostles: “But who do you say that I am (Matthew 16:15)?”
Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the
Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are
you, Simon son of Jonah. Peter knew Jesus well because more than any other
apostles he was always prominently with Jesus. (Mat. 10:2; 14:28; 15:15; 17:24;
19:27; Luke 8:51; 12:41).
Peter
also initially did not want Jesus to wash his feet, (John 13:7-9). When Jesus
was about to arrested by the roman soldiers it was Peter who drew his sword and
cut off the ear of the soldier, (John 18:10) Peter was the first apostles to
enter the empty tomb of Jesus, (Luke 24:12), Peter was the first apostles to
whom Jesus appeared after His resurrection, (Luke 24:34)
Like
Peter, are we always prominently with Jesus through the Sacraments and by
always being present during Holy Mass? Like Peter, do we have that desire to
know Jesus fully well by regularly reading the Bible specially the gospels of
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John?
On the
other hand, Paul had a lesser close encounter with Jesus (Acts 9). But his zeal
to advance the gospel of Christ is unmatched until now. Saint Paul allowed
Jesus to work in his life for the advancement of the gospel.
Saint
Paul also courageously advanced of the teachings of Jesus to those who don’t know
Jesus yet. He was also educated and he used it to write some books in the New
Testament. Do we allow Jesus to move in our lives so that others may know more
about Jesus?
If Jesus
would ask you this question today: “Who do you say that I am?” Would you be
able to satisfactorily reply? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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