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 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 us this question today: “Who do you say that I am?”
Would we be able to satisfactorily reply? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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