Word to the Wise
Thursday, August 5, 2021 - Thursday in the 18th Week in Ordinary Time
[Num 20:1-13 and Matt 16:13-23]Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" [Matthew]
The question posed by Jesus to the disciples is two-fold: who do OTHERS say he is, and who do THEY say that he is. The first question was easier to answer as long as it wasn't personal, but the second one is another story. Peter's profound (and enthusiastic) response: "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!" brings about Jesus' important designation of Peter as the "rock" on which the church would be built, and that he (Peter) would have complete authority. But, just after Jesus says this, Peter shows that his (Peter's) understanding of his own statement is shallow. He cannot believe that Jesus would suffer, die and rise from the dead. Jesus rebukes him for his shallow understanding: "Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do." Now THAT is a big challenge, one the disciples would not understand until after the resurrection.
It is our challenge as well. Who do WE say that the Son of Man is? How can we think as God thinks?!! We might start by going back to Peter's initial response and sticking to that. Peter's understanding of his own profession of faith was limited. His idea of "the Christ, the Son of the Living God," did not include what Jesus predicted. He had to learn, just as the other disciples and us that God's plan of salvation requires our understanding and not our design.
If we find this challenging, we are in good company. The gospels show that the disciples struggled to understand Jesus' death and resurrection. Up to that event, Jesus was their leader and teacher and maybe a divine messenger. The church's subsequent reflection, like that of St. Paul's letters or the Gospel According to John, shows the development of understanding that goes from an event in Jerusalem to a cosmic and universal vision. Jesus is far more than limited human vision, which will always remain limited, can contain even if benefitting from centuries of reflection and teaching. Our response may vary from a "Whatever...." to a desire for an indepth relationship. One way or the other, if we call ourselves Christian, we have somehow answered Jesus' question, but do we know what our own answer really is? Peter had to be challenged, and so are we! AMEN