When You Know Better

Jesus, help me remember that, when I know better, I'll do better -- and I'm always learning more! Amen.

"Who do other people say that I am?" Jesus asked the Apostles. They answered, "John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or another prophet." "But who do you think I am?" Jesus asked. Peter said, "The Messiah, the Son of God." Jesus told him, "Bless you, Peter! Your name means 'rock,' and on this rock, I'll build my church."

There's an old saying that goes,"When you know better, you do better." It means that people make the best decisions they can with what they know today -- for example, when you were really little, you tried to run into the street because you didn't know it was dangerous and you couldn't read the signs that said "STOP."

Now, you know better, so you'd never run onto a busy street. You know better, so you do better!

This week's Gospel (Matthew 16:13-20) is another example. Jesus finds out that many people are confused about who He is. They think that, because He's famous and close to God, He must be one of the prophets they've heard of, since prophets are religious, too.

Jesus is hoping the Apostles know better, so He tests them by asking who they think He is. Some of the Apostles are quiet; they don't seem to know. But Peter calls out that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah sent from heaven to help people get close to God.

The more you "know better," the more independent you get. That's part of growing up: When you know enough not to run into traffic, you don't have to hold an adult's hand; when you know how to read, you can follow signs and understand what to do.

Not everyone Jesus met knew better. Even when He said over and over that God sent Him, some people didn't understand. But when Peter knew better and did better, Jesus rewarded him: He promised that Peter would be head of Jesus' followers!

08/28/08