Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“But who do you say that I am?”

Gospel Reading: Matthew 16:13-23

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that the Son of man is?" And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him and began to rebuke him, saying, "God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you." But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me; for you are not on the side of God, but of men."

After reading all four of the gospels, it has become quite clear that Jesus’ disciples didn’t really know who he was until the very end of his ministry; possibly not even until after the resurrection. This fact becomes very clear in today’s gospel. Jesus knows that the disciples lack the wisdom to recognize him, so he asks Peter, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?" And they respond that "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." Jesus again asks his apostles, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter quickly responds, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." It is only Peter who recognizes that Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God. Peter could not have known this on his own; but only through the grace of God the Father.  It was his undivided faith and love for Jesus that allowed him to understand and see the reality of Jesus. We too are called to have this same undivided faith and love for Jesus. Jesus calls Peter a rock because his faith is rock solid. We called to imitate Peter in his faith for Jesus.  Therefore, you must ask yourself, “Is my faith rock solid?” Would Jesus call you Peter (which means Rock). Take time today to ask yourself the difficult question – Who am I? A true and honest evaluation can help you refocus your life to be more like Peter. Even swamp muck can be formed into a rock under great pressure. Try to define what you need to do to strengthen your faith and to build the rock. 

A Simple Prayer

Lord Jesus, solidify my faith. 

Make me a rock to build you church upon.

Make my faith strong like Peter's.

Give me wisdom to bring others to you.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon