You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!

You are Christ, the Son of the living God!



A Sunday school teacher asked Charlie, “Do you remember your memory verse? Then Charlie said, “I sure do I even remember the zip code…Matthew 16:16”

What is in Matthew 16:16? Peter’s proclamation of faith, “You are the Christ, Son of the Living God.” Today’s Gospel passage summarizes the Catholicism.

Last Sunday Jesus was in Tyre and Sidon (Matthew 15:22) from there he went to Galilee and healed many people and fed the four thousand. Today’s Gospel passage says Jesus went to the Caesarea Philippi, a predominantly Gentile city, which is north of Galilee. The city was previously known as Panion or Paneas, named after the Greeco-Roman god Pan. When Herod the Great’s son Philip became the tetrarch of that region, he rebuilt the city and renamed the city in honor of Tiberius Caesar, adding his own name.

Here Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the son of man is?” They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, (Matthew 14:2 Herod said to his servants “This man is John the Baptist,” others Elijah (Malachi 3:23 “I will send Elijah, the prophet before the day of the Lord comes”), still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." Jews were waiting for the coming of the Messiah, but when he came, they were confused and failed to recognize him.

The first question was an introduction and to ask a bigger question. He asked them “Who do you say that I am?” We should notice for the first question, “They replied,” everyone had something to say, but the second question is more   personal and only Peter is answering the second question. He replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Christ means anointed one same as Messiah. For the first century Jews, the king is the anointed one. David and Solomon united the twelve tribes of Israel. When Jesus came Israel was under Romans. Jews were waiting for the “Anointed One” to liberate them like David. When Peter’s confession, he proclaimed the mystery of Christ's divinity (Matthew 11:25-27&14:33) and Peter sees Jesus as the waited Messiah-King of Israel (Matthew 26:63&John 1:49).

In the second part of the Gospel, Jesus reveals his plan for the Church. Jesus gave Peter the key and authority and built the Church on the rock “Petro” Peter. We can read in Matthew 16:17-17 Peter assumes the role in salvation history  similar to Abraham: both are blessed by God (Genesis 14:19); both responded with heroic faith (Hebrews 11:8) both  received divine mission (Genesis 12:1-3); both have changed their names (Genesis 17:5); both are called rock (Isaiah 51:1-2); both are assured a victory over the “gate” of their enemies (Genesis 22:17).

Jesus portrays the Church as the spiritual temple (I Corinthians 3:16-17; 2 Cori6:16; Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:4-8). Solomon, son of David, built the Old Testament temple, and Jesus, Son of David, built the Church and entrusted the key to Peter. The Church always understood this authority to be handed down to the successors of Peter, the Popes.

Our first reading from the book of Isaiah, Isaiah chapters 13-23, it talks about the oracle against the different pagan  nations. The first reading for today from chapter 22, Shebna, the mater of the place, is going to be removed from his place because of his unfaithfulness, and the Lord is going to appoint Eliakim and give him the robe, sash, and key of Shebna.

The Lord said he will place the “key of the house of David” on Eliakim’s shoulder. In the Gospel, Jesus from the house of David, gives the keys to the kingdom of heaven to Peter. God gave the key to Eliakim, but the words of Isaiah are completed in the New Testament, when Jesus, the offspring of David gave the key to Peter.

Today Pope Francis and Bishops hold the office and teach us. As we reflect on these passages, first off let us proclaim our faith with Peter, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Second, let us share our faith with others and    encourage each other to grow in faith and celebration. We are in the years of Eucharistic Revival and Maintenance to Mission. Bishop James Powers reminds us in his Pastoral Letter that “Authentic evangelization can only be an overflow of the love of God that we have personally received, pouring itself out in a desire for that love to be received by those around us.” At every Mass, we are sent out to live the Eucharistic life, so that others may encounter Christ. Let us be missionaries of Christ.