August 24, 2014
21st Sunday Ordinary Time
The place is significant – Caesarea Philippi. It is located northeast of the Sea of Galilee in a non Jewish region with temples to Syrian, Greek and Roman gods. Here Jesus asks his close disciples: “who do people say that the Son of Man is?†They give the popular opinion: John the Baptist, or Elijah or Jeremiah. But Jesus directs the question to them: “But who do you say that I am?†Simon Peter replies: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.†Jesus zeroes in on Simon’s nickname: “You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church.†Peter becomes a foundation stone. His inspired confession of faith and witness to the resurrection become a sure place/person that Jesus will build the Church. Then Jesus promises to give the keys to the kingdom of heaven to Peter. Keys are a symbol of the office of steward or Good Shepherd which entails loyalty to Christ, fidelity to his teaching, forgiveness of sins and compassion for others. Pope Francis has been demonstrating his understanding of the keys. When asked by reporters about his overwhelming popularity, Pope Francis responded that he often meditates on his sins and mistakes, because he did not want to get too big for his britches. “Because I know this will last a short time, two or three years, and then to the house of the Father.†The keys are not a measure of one’s power but of service within and for the people of God. This week Pope Francis called the parents of James Foley, who was savagely executed, to express personally his sympathy to the distraught family and friends. What Peter did, and his successors continue to do, is to emulate Jesus Christ and to know him as the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Previous:
20th Sunday Ordinary Time
