Who Do People Say That I Am?
Dear Parishioners,
We are always conscious of what people say about us or think of us. Sometimes we don’t want to know and sometimes our curiosity wonders what is on their minds. We welcome compliments and delight in flattery. However, we know that self-perception can sometimes be far from the truth.
Today’s gospel places Jesus in front and center of public opinion. Jesus wanted to know what people think about him. “Who do people say that I am?” He received mixed responses but favorable because they identified him with the great prophets in their history. But no one dared to call him the Messiah until Peter spoke “You are the Christ.” This profession of Peter was bold and blasphemous in ears of the Jews. He spoke the truth about Jesus which many found very difficult to accept. Peter’s encounter with Jesus must have transformed him. He spoke with such conviction and authority. He came to believe that Jesus is the chosen envoy of God who is destined to liberate Israel.
Peter was right, but he got a strange response from Jesus who forbade him to tell anyone about this matter. We know that Jesus came to make himself known and to reveal God’s love for humanity. His response to Peter tells us that Jesus had more things to say, and Peter is about to find out. He began to speak about his passion and death. Peter would not have any part of it. He took his master aside and rebuked him. Wow! What was Peter thinking? On one hand he made the boldest profession of faith and on the other hand he attempted to obstruct the work of God. His act merited the sharpest rebuke in the gospel “Get behind me Satan” Like Peter, we do profess our faith in God but at the same time are unwilling to follow through. Our wishes and desires often run against God’s plan for us. We pick and choose what we want to believe or practice. When that happens, we become an obstacle to the gospel.
No one wishes to suffer. Yet, it is part of our human experience. The biggest suffering is not knowing God. I guess Peter means well for Jesus. He assumed that failure and prophesies of disaster may not appeal to people and may not help in recruiting new disciples. So, in his mind, he moved against Jesus and tried to persuade him to change the message. How many times have we tried to change God’s messages and teachings? Some people think the Ten Commandment should be thrown out. The moral teachings on war, abortions, marriage, governance, economy and poverty have come under intense opposition or outright rejection. What a shame! Our culture is doing the same thing Peter tried on Jesus. We can hear Jesus again saying, “Get behind me Satan.”
Now we have come to know that God’s way is not always the easy way. Pain and suffering meet us along the way. But having faith in him who made us and destined us for far greater things is more important. Peter’s thoughts sound very logical but cannot guarantee eternal life. Therefore, we place our hope and trust in the one who can guarantee life everlasting. Faith in Jesus compels us to renounce ourselves and carry our cross whatever that may be. Jesus is asking that we put his message ahead of every other consideration. This is a new kind of being poor; to give up ourselves and put ourselves in the Jesus’ hands.
Saint James says faith without good works is dead. Is faith a matter of being willing each day to deepen our option for Christ and his teaching, choosing them over our own logic and our own desires?
Heartfelt gratitude and renewed thanks to everyone who in any way contributed to the success of this year’s Parish Festival. May God richly bless you!
Grace and Peace To You,
Fr. Vitalis Anyanike, Pastor
