"You are the Christ!"
Is 22: 19-23
Rm 11: 33-36
Mt 16: 13-20
Could you imagine a
bicycle wheel without a center to join and hold the spokes together in a solid
circle? Or the wheels of a car without a firm rim to support the wheel? How about a square table with only three legs?
Or a sports team such as baseball or football with no coach to guide and direct
the plays? Or a Nation with no duly
appointed leader to speak for the interests of the Country?
That would be neither
a bike I would ever ride, a table I would put anything on, or a team I
would want to be a member of or a Country without specific leadership in which
every citizen was left up to their own preference of what would be done or what
would be legal or illegal. Who’s in
charge? What holds this together in
one piece - this bike or the wheel on my car?
So the same is true
for the Church which Jesus established . We hear of that spoke or center of
unity today in our familiar Gospel passage from Matthew: “Simon
Peter replied: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God . . . Jesus said
to him in reply . . . you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church
. . . I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.”
Jesus had asked his
disciples a question that in one sense put them all on the spot, “Who do you say that I am?” How would
you answer a good friend or someone you had been with frequently if that friend
asked you such a question – “Who am I to you?”
This inner circle
of disciples might have commented on how much they enjoyed Jesus' company,
that his words were charismatic, that many were impressed by his wonders and
compassion, that they found in him a deeper sense of meaning and purpose for
their lives, that his treatment of women and children was surprising but strangely dignified, etc.
While all of that
would have been correct and highly complementary to Jesus, one of them whom
Jesus renamed a “rock” stated something far more significant and insightful: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living
God.” You are the anointed one, the
Messiah, the Son of God. You are not
like any other person who has walked this earth.
What a profound insight and a bold statement
of faith in Jesus the Christ. How did this
fisherman come to such a deep awareness?
Clearly Jesus makes reference to Simon's source of knowledge and faith: “For
flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.” It
was only by a grace given to Simon, now “kephas or petros” meaning "rock," that
he came to make that crucial statement about Jesus full identity. Through Peter's insight, he expressed something that had not yet been revealed by Jesus himself.
Jesus goes farther
and entrusts the building, or household, of his church to the care of
Peter. From that moment, and we see it
referred to more than once in the Acts of the Apostles and consistent Church
history from that time until today, Peter and his successors have been seen as
the center spoke, the fourth leg on the table - the designated sign of
leadership in the Church which Jesus founded and referred to in his affirmation
to the “Rock.” So it is not only Peter’s solid profession of faith but also his person and his position among the twelve that
has made the “Petrine” office, the Papacy as we know it, the sign and center of
unity in the Church.
So, our Gospel this
Sunday holds deep significance for our lives as Catholic/Christians and how we
see ourselves in the world as the Body of Christ centered around Peter and the
Apostles – the Pope and our Bishops.
The
first reading from Isaiah today emphasizes authority. How the Lord did not tolerate those who would
contradict his commands or cause compromise of the Covenant to his people,
leading them astray from right teaching and the truth. That of course is the mission of the Pope; to
be the gatekeeper, to hold the keys of the household of Christ, and to protect right teaching in Jesus' name who
is Head of the Church.
Any
accurate read of Church history, however, shows us that while that office may
be key to unity, not all those who have held the office of St. Peter’s
successor have been paragons of virtue, to say the least. We are all sinners and didn’t Pope Francis
himself early on, describe himself first as a “sinner.” We all are in need of
God’s mercy and grace.
While all of that is
important to understand of course, for the vast general population of those who
constitute this household of Christ in the Church, the experience is far more
local and personal than it is lofty or bureaucratic. The question posed by
Jesus to his disciples is the same for
every one of us to express: “Who do you say that I am?” How we answer that will reveal how we see
ourselves in the world as a Catholic and a parishioner of whatever parish
enjoys our membership.
St. Francis of
Assisi was one time asked by a very early follower of his, to teach him the prayer he prayed all night.
St. Francis told him that he prayed:
“Who are you my God and who am I?” Francis knew that the way he
responded to the first question, the same one Jesus asks his disciples and us,
will define the kind of Christian he is.
If I can say with conviction “You
are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” as Peter did with utter personal
conviction, then my life will follow accordingly. I will live by his moral code, seek a personal
relationship with him, share in the mission of the Church and act in his
name. I will see the Holy Eucharist as
his true and living presence offered to us and know that I’m not perfect and in
need of mercy and forgiveness.
But, in the end we
all must answer that question accordingly because it carries with it our
identity. Think of your parish life and
mission. How that is answered by
parishioners and priest in leadership will reveal how we see ourselves as the
Church in the world and what our mission and purpose is to others and
ourselves. I can only speak for myself as Pastor that I am constantly inspired by the good example and generosity of so many. It reminds me to get my own personal act together!
So, what might seem
somewhat obvious to us may not always be understood the same way. If Jesus truly is the “Christ, the Son of the
living God,” and I am both personally and corporately convinced of that, then
we can be an authentic and contagious witness to his lofty Gospel of good news
for humanity and behave accordingly.
There are many layers to our
Gospel this Sunday and one could go many directions about the Papacy, Church
history, the sins and failings of leaders and people, and wherever else. But the good news is indeed what Jesus intended
and has set up in this both divine and human structure called the Church, His Body. But it is all an invitation to express our
loyalty and faith in the One the Father has sent.
So, “Who do YOU say" he is?
O God, who cause the minds of the faithful
to unite in a single purpose,
grant your people to love what you command
and to desire what you promise,
that amid the uncertainties of this world,
our hearts may be fixed on that place
where true gladness is found.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.
(Collect of Sunday)
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