Readings: Isaiah 22:19-23; Romans 11:33-36; Matthew 16:13-20
Have You Ever Met Him?
1. When faced with hard times, like a death in the family or betrayal of trust from friends, who would you say Jesus is for you? When faced with difficult situations in life, who is Jesus for you? Sometimes, it feels like we don’t know who Jesus is. This reminds me of a story told by Mark Link in his Sunday Homilies. A little girl went to CCD class for the first time. After class, her mother asked her, “Amy, how did you like CCD today?” The little girl said, “I didn’t like it at all.” Her mother said, “It was your first time. Just wait a few weeks. You’ll come to like it.” Three weeks later, the little girl came home from CCD with big tears in her eyes. “What’s the matter?” her mother asked. “It’s CCD,” the little girl answered. “Must I keep going?” “Why?” asked her mother. “What’s wrong?” “Well,” said the little girl, “everybody talks about somebody named Jesus. And I don’t know who he is. I’ve never even met him.”
2. Christ must have wondered if those talking about him have ever met him. Do they know who he is? Was there anyone who understood him? Did they recognize him for who he was? Do they know what his mission was? Was Christ only a miracle worker, a healer, a food provider, or the one who raised the dead? This question was crucial to Christ. Has our knowledge of Christ changed us?
3. So, to the question, “Who do you people say I am?” many people had opinions about Jesus and who they thought he was. But Christ was not interested in what others said about him, but rather, in an individual experience of him. And so, when Peter made his profession of faith, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” Christ knew that there was at least someone who knew and understood his mission. He knew that with Peter as the leader of the apostles, his work was safe, and his mission would go on without him. Peter could be entrusted with a leadership role over others. He was given the keys to the kingdom.
4. But how did Peter come to this sublime knowledge of Christ? Because this type of knowledge can only come from God, as St. Paul opines in the second reading: “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways! For from him and through him and for him are all things.” I believe Peter came to this knowledge through his personal encounter with Jesus. He encountered Jesus when he was directed to catch many fish to the point that his nets were tearing. When Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” (Lk. 5:1-11). Peter could not have forgotten that experience! He saw firsthand how Jesus healed the sick, beginning with his mother-in-law. (Lk. 4:38-39). He heard, many times, the teaching of Jesus. He knew that Jesus taught with authority, unlike the Scribes and Pharisees. (Matt. 7:29). He was rescued from drowning in the sea of Galilee. (Matt. 14:22-33). He saw Jesus doing the kind of work reserved for enslaved people, like washing of feet. (Jn. 31-17). He saw Jesus feed the multitude with just five loaves and two fish. (Matt. 14:13-21). He, of course, witnessed Jesus as he spent hours in prayer, sometimes even throughout the night. (Lk 3:21; 11:1-13). Jesus lived with his apostles, so they experienced his simplicity of life. No ordinary human being could do all these except the anointed one of God! Yes, I know who you are, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
5. With Peter’s confession, Jesus gave him the keys. He trusted him to take charge of his Church because Peter understood what true power meant. It is service above all; it is suffering, and at times, it entails sacrifice. It means being responsible for others in love. Jesus knew that Peter would always fall back on him for support. He knew that he would not arrogate power to himself like Shebna. Shebna used power and authority to enrich himself. He forgot the one who put him there and why he was placed in that exulted position. Corrupt leaders often feel they have absolute power and forget that the one who gave it can also take it back. And Shebna’s power was transferred to Eliakim.
6. A true leader always looks for the source of his power. And this comes from the knowledge of God. We can know the worth of a person by the power they wield. Our understanding of Christ will assure our humility in the exercise of power. That is why power in the Church is service, and to exercise this power appropriately, one must have a deeper relationship with Christ. So, in your position of authority, who do you say Jesus is? In your family, who do you say he is? When faced with temptation and sickness that defile all cures, who is Jesus for you? In your free time alone and your confusion, who is Jesus for you? Let us pray for a proper understanding of power and authority so as to get to know Jesus personally and intimately. Amen.
Rev. Augustine
Etemma Inwang, MSP
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