Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
My dear parishioners,
God is Good!!! All the Time!!! And All the Time!!! God is Good!!!
A major theme in this book is the renunciation of personal plans in favor of the ways of God. The reading here is a fine example of that theme. It comes in the midst of a series of oracles against other nations for their prideful ways. But even the nation of Judah is not exempt from the challenge that God directs at surrounding nations.
Matthew’s story about Peter’s confession of Jesus as Messiah and Son of the living God is based upon Mark’s tradition (Mk 8:27–29). Clearly, Matthew has expanded Mark’s version by adding the portion where Jesus declares Peter the foundation of the Church, thereby granting him special status among the apostles. It is interesting that the word church appears only two times in all four Gospels, and both of them are in Matthew (Mt 16:18; 18:17).
Rumors about Jesus’ identity. The narrative begins with Jesus asking his disciples what people are saying about him and his identity. The current rumors included John the Baptist, Elijah, and Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. But then Jesus pinpoints the disciples and quizzes them specifically regarding who they think Jesus is. This is an important question because these disciples have been with Jesus from the beginning, but they have not always manifested a clear understanding regarding his identity.
You are Christ, the Son of the living God. It is Peter who comes forth to respond to Jesus’ question. His answer is clear and firm. Unlike Mark’s Gospel where the response is only, “You are the Christ,” Peter lengthens his confession by adding, “the Son of the living God.” Even Jesus is impressed by Peter’s response and declares that this understanding must come from divine revelation and not simply from Peter’s human knowledge. Obviously, much more is happening here than a mere exchange of information.
Upon this rock I will build my Church. Jesus responds to Peter’s confession by granting him a very special blessing. Using a play on words involving Peter’s name (“Rocky,” “Petros,” and “rock,” petra), Jesus declares that Peter will be the foundation stone upon which Jesus will build his Church. Peter is also given the “keys to the kingdom of heaven.” This kind of imagery was used frequently in rabbinic literature to designate a person’s special honor and authority. Much of this declaration comes from the tradition of Matthew’s Church, which gave special honor and recognition to Peter, who preached in and around Syria, the home of Matthew’s Gospel. Knowing what Jesus says here is very important. Knowing what it means is still challenging.
Excerpts from “Sunday Homily Helps”, is used by permission of Franciscan Media. www.FranciscanMedia.org.©2016. All rights reserved
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Aloysius