Matthew 16:13-20

Gospel according to Matthew 16:13-20

Then Jesus went into parts of Caesarea Philippi. And he questioned his disciples, saying, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, and others say Elijah, still others say Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Jesus said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter responded by saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And in response, Jesus said to him: “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father, who is in heaven. And I say to you, that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound, even in heaven. And whatever you shall release on earth shall be released, even in heaven.” Then he instructed his disciples that they should tell no one that he is Jesus the Christ.

Reflections

In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks a significant question. Who do the people say that he is?

As Jesus goes around the countryside, a lot of people hear about him. Some think he is a teacher. Some say he is a healer. Some believe that he is a miracle maker. Some of those who meet him say he is a prophet. Can he be the expected Messiah? The oppinions are varied and sometimes divided.

He turns to the disciples who are closest to him. They followed him, they talked with him and they saw his works. What is it that they think of him?

Simon Peter awnseres: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” And Jesus replies: “Blessed are you, Peter”

Understanding who someone is beyond their name or what one hears about them means to be related to them in more than a supperficial way.

Another time, Jesus remarked “Happy are those who do not see me and still believe.” To have such beleif and to keep it alive, we need to be related to him in a more than superficial way.