Gospel Reflection For Sunday 27th August 2023

21st Sunday Ordinary Time – by Fr Brian Maher OMI

Instead of starting on some dusty trail in northern Israel, amid the lush grasslands close to the small town of Caesarea Philippi, let me begin in Jerusalem, twenty-five years after the death of Jesus.  

In a small house, like any other small house in the poorer areas of Jerusalem, a tiny group of maybe fifteen people have gathered. They are ordinary Jewish men and women from different backgrounds, some wealthier than others, but all share two things in common: One, they are followers of Jesus, a small sect just beginning to be called ‘Christian’, and two, they are afraid. To be called a ‘Christian’ at that time was not a badge of honour. It was a derogatory term used to refer to a person who did not recognise the Roman Emperor as ‘a God’, and that was treason and punishable by death if they were caught.  

As they huddle together, listening to the great stories of Jesus’ life, one question is on all their minds: Are they committing themselves to a man, like them, even if he was a holy man and prophet? or did he really rise from the dead and by so doing show himself to be the Messiah – the one sent to bring the Kingdom of God into the world? 

The problem they have is this: If Jesus was a Holy man and prophet, then how can they be certain that everything he said was true? Might he have been wrong? But if he was the Messiah, and the final coming of God to judge and vindicate his people is imminent, then no matter what happens to them, they must continue to spread his message. For this small group of people, gathering in fear for their lives, the question “Who was Jesus?” was not an interesting, academic one. Their very lives, and maybe the lives of their families, depended on their answer. 

 But what if one of the disciples who had actually known Jesus visited them – an eye-witness who saw and heard what Jesus said and did – and what if that eye-witness told them the story of today’s Gospel – how Jesus asked them, “…who do you say that I am?” and how Peter, the man named by Jesus to be his successor, answered that Jesus “was the Christ, the Son of the living God.’? then their question is more or less answered. If Peter said that Jesus was the Messiah, and if Jesus then confirmed it, surely it is true and they can believe it. 

When their meeting finishes and these first Christians quietly sneak off to their homes, they carry that story with them, and somehow they feel a bit stronger and more certain that Jesus was the Messiah, and that it is now their responsibility to make the Kingdom of God visible by living their lives as Jesus lived his. 

When Matthew included this story in his Gospel, his interest was not in making Jesus appear either a ‘superhero’ or a mystic. His interest was in the small communities of Jesus’ followers who were committed to keeping his message alive, and who were suffering greatly because of that commitment. They needed to hear of the ‘real’ Jesus who walked among them, and of the things he said and did while with them. Above all, they needed to know about the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and his continued life with them. The Gospels gave them that great message of hope and joy, which enabled them to carry on believing in Jesus through whatever was thrown at them. 

The power of today’s Gospel for those first Christians cannot be underestimated. It is Jesus himself who asks the question, and it is Peter, chosen by Jesus to succeed him, who answers it. There is no higher authority than this. Jesus is “…the Christ, the Son of the Living God.’ Peter proclaims it and Jesus affirms it, immediately giving Peter full authority for his Church. “Whatever you bind……whatever you loose……” means everything! 

Sadly, over time, even our most vivid and important memories become dulled in some way. The raw pain of grief or the ecstasy of joy both lose their initial impact as time passes. Our Church and our faith are not exceptions to this. The passion and enthusiasm of the early Church have faded over the last two thousand years. As a result, almost certainly today’s Gospel will not be greeted by us in the same way as Matthew’s first readers greeted it. 

And yet, Jesus, today, in this Gospel looks each one of us in the eye and asks us, “…Who do you say that I am?” 

It sounds such a simple question and all kinds of quick and easy answers spring to mind, but beware…… this is a personal question and not a theoretical one. My answer must be a personal answer, which can be confirmed by my words and actions. If my answer cannot be confirmed by my words and actions, then I am a hypocrite – and in the Gospels Jesus saves his harshest criticism for hypocrites! 

Therefore, when we hear Jesus ask, “Who do you say that I am…” it is best to pause and reflect before rushing to answer. It is a huge question and requires a huge answer. 

Let me share with you a true story:  A long time ago, in the mid-seventies, I spend a very enjoyable Summer in Rome. I was young and idealistic and had just begun my studies towards priesthood and Religious Life.  

One evening I was part of a small group of similarly aged young students, discussing vocation, religious life and priesthood. 

Out of the blue one of the group asked me. “Brian, what does Jesus mean to you?” To this day I can remember the consternation I immediately felt. My shock was closely followed by acute embarrassment that I was unable to answer the question. I literally became tongue-tied (not usual for me!!!) and could say nothing. Thankfully the person asking the question saw my embarrassment and moved on. 

Afterwards I thought about it a lot, trying to analyse why what was a simple question caused me so much angst. I concluded that it was the context that threw me. I was not being asked, “Who does Theology say Jesus was?” or, “what did this writer or this book say Jesus was?”.  If asked those questions I could have answered immediately and intelligently. But no, the person who asked the question was asking a personal question of me and it required a personal answer from me, and the truth was that I was simply unable to say what Jesus meant to ME – personally.  

Still today, I can hear him ask me the question and I can see myself flounder around trying to think of something to say. And still today, when I hear this particular Gospel, I return to that scene. 

If asked that same question today, I think I could answer it in a semi-coherent manner. I would not be able to say with Peter’s conviction and enthusiasm, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” That is too huge an answer for me, and I know that my words and actions do not support such a statement. Anybody who knows me could rightly say, “If you do believe that, then why do you worry so much about climate change and the state of our world? Why do you get worried and anxious and pessimistic? Where is the hope and the joy that true belief must bring?” Against such an accusation I would have to be found guilty because I do let these, and so many other things, trouble and upset me. 

And then…I remember that Peter, the person who spoke those words, not long afterwards, denied all knowledge of Jesus and abandoned him to a lonely death. That is such sweet comfort. Human weakness, fear, even sin, did not lead to Jesus doubting Peter’s faith or loyalty. Despite what he did afterwards, Jesus never doubted that Peter did see him as “…the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” More than that, despite what Peter did after saying such wonderful words, Jesus still trusted him with care of his Church. 

It seems that Jesus, and therefore God, sees in us far more than we see in ourselves! 

How comforting and how wonderful is that? 

Many thanks, 

Brian  

If you have any comments, questions or thoughts on this scripture reflection, please feel welcome to email me at b.maher@oblates.ie

You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church