September 10, 2024 at 3:07 p.m.
St. Peter’s profession of faith
Our well-known Gospel this weekend is about one of those pivotal moments in history: a moment of change in Jesus’ relationship with his disciples. They have been with him for some time now and they have seen all the miracles and heard Jesus’ life-changing teachings. A deep relationship has built up over time. Perhaps our Lord felt that he could now ask two important questions of his disciples, just as we might ask of our family and friends.
“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” — James 2:17
The first question is, “Who do people say that I am?” The disciples may have been surprised by Jesus’ question. Therefore, they hurriedly gave some rather expected answers they may have heard from around town, from other disciples, villagers or friends. These answers are what we might call the “textbook” answers: not very personal!
Jesus would have known this, of course, and so he asks a much more penetrating, searching and deeper question: “Who do you say that I am?” It is the sort of question that only someone close could ask. Jesus is asking his disciples, what sort of image do you have of me, or, who am I to you? Simon Peter’s answer is not from the textbook but rather comes straight from his heart and soul. Peter makes a simple yet profound profession of faith and of love: “You are the Christ.”
After this reply by St. Peter, Jesus wishes to share with his disciples what it will mean to be “the Christ.” He does not sugarcoat the message: he must suffer, die and rise. This is too much for St. Peter, who loves Jesus and wishes perhaps to protect him. In fact, we heard those astonishing words that Peter actually rebukes Jesus. In turn, Jesus rebuked Peter with some pretty strong words. Peter is not thinking as God would wish and his line of thought is actually an obstacle to Jesus’ whole purpose and mission.
Later on in the Gospel, Peter will again make a mistake when he panics and flees as Jesus is arrested and brought to trial. As we know, he even denies Jesus, but then he regrets it immediately and goes away weeping bitterly. All is made well when the risen Jesus meets Peter and again asks him a question. This time, the question is even more personal than “Who do you say I am?” The risen Jesus’ question is, “Do you love me?” Peter will answer, “Yes Lord, you know that I love you.” (John 21:15-17). Saint Peter will, of course, go on to lead the Church and give his life for the Lord by being crucified upside down.
In reflecting on this very human and touching account in the Gospel, what can we learn? The obvious and vital thing must be about our relationship with Jesus. Jesus asks us the same questions as he asked his disciples and Saint Peter two millennia ago:
Who do others say that I am? We know there are many answers. Some do believe in Jesus as the true God and true man (as we say in the Creed). Others may see him as a wise person or sage, or perhaps as a spiritual guide or type of guru, or perhaps just as a good man. The Lord asks us to help others to come to know him: to know him really and fully as the Christ, the Savior.
Who do you say that I am? This is a personal and profound question that the Lord does indeed ask us many times each day. To answer the question truly, we need to look at our relationship with him. Do I love him as St. Peter did, even if I mess up at times? Do I have a deep and personal relationship with Jesus that affects every aspect of my life and that goes to the very heart of not only who Jesus is, but rather who I am?
What is more, we need to show that our relationship with Jesus is real and that we are not just going through the motions. We all know of human relationships that have just become something on “autopilot,” or that sadly have become just a habit or an act. Our words and actions in such relationships show whether they are real and alive or not. So, too, our relationship with Jesus. A great habit to follow each day is to make sure that we both do and say things that make clear that our relationship with the Lord is indeed real and full of joy and life.
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