SOLEMNITY OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL
In our celebration, we recall Peter and Paul – the great Denier and the
great Persecutor – two great apostles of the Gospel, who became key
figures in the early Church. In some places this feast is anticipated and
takes the place of the Thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Gospel Matthew 16:13-20
Theme: Peter proclaims Jesus as Messiah. Jesus calls him to a special place in the church.
ʘ We can divide today’s Gospel passage into two parts. The first part is Peter’s profession of faith in Jesus. At last, Peter recognises Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ and Son of the living God. At last, he realises that in Jesus they can see the action of God. The disciples had followed Jesus as soon as he called, but for a long time they were puzzled what to make of him, of his wonderful teaching and his godlike personality. Now comes a shaft of light and understanding! We, too, often take some time to appreciate the true worth of someone we know well; a little gesture can sometimes reveal just how generous and thoughtful they are. The second part is Jesus’ words to Peter about the building of the Church and Peter’s role in it.
A. Peter’s Profession of Faith. (16:13-16)
ʘ From the Sea of Galilee, the disciples walked with Jesus more than twenty miles north into the region of Caesar Philippi. Caesarea Philippi was a new city built by Philip, son of Herod the Great. It was situated near the head waters of the river Jordan, the most northern point of his territory. The name commemorates both Philip and the Roman Emperor. It was a Hellenistic city, populated mainly by Gentiles and it contained a number of ancient temples, the most important of which honoured Pan, the god of nature.
ʘ Jesus’ ministry has set people talking. ‘Who is this man?’ Now that he is safely removed from the Jewish crowds and the surveillance of his opponents, he can pose the all-important question. He asks his disciples what people are saying about him.
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he put this question to his disciples,
‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’” (v.13)
ʘ Jesus is obviously referring to himself. The designation ‘Son of Man’ is simply a third-person equivalent to the pronoun ‘I’. Clearly, rumours are going around about who he might be. As it turns out, the opinion polls are divided; there is no consensus as to the identity of Jesus.
ʘ Could it be that he is John the Baptist had mysteriously come back to life? Or might he be Elijah? Elijah had not died but had been mysteriously taken up to heaven in a fiery chariot or a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11). A legend then grew that Elijah would return before the end times. Many might have believed that Jesus was the returning prophet. If none of these, then Jesus surely was a prophet like Jeremiah (who, like Jesus, experienced rejection and suffering) or one of the others. All these suggestions reflect the expectations of the time. But they are still inadequate responses.
“Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (v.14)
ʘ The common thread that unites these opinions is that is that Jesus stands in the line of prophets. Like so many of God’s spokesmen, he preaches repentance, performs mighty works, and boldly proclaims the will of God for Israel.
ʘ Jesus now makes his question more pointed. He puts his disciples, who have been with him throughout his ministry, on the spot and asks them for a direct answer to his question:
“But you, who do you, say I am?”(v.15)
ʘ They have earlier witnessed his authority over nature and raised the question of his identity on the
occasion of the calming of the storm at sea (8:27) and have revered him as the Son of God after the walking on the water (14:33).
ʘ Immediately, the response comes from Simon Peter, acting as the spokesman for the others. From him we hear the most complete profession of faith – that Jesus is the Messiah of Jewish expectation and also the transcendent Son of God. “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (v.16)
ʘ Peter’s confession that Jesus is the ‘Son of the living God’ might have directed attention from any military/political/nationalistic connotations the title ‘Messiah’ might have for the disciples. The Messianic hope – the coming of a royal messiah from David’s descendants, which was kept alive by the prophets and which flourished in first-century Palestine, has now come to rest on the person of Jesus.
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