Word to the Wise
Thursday, August 7, 2025 - Thursday in the 18th Week in Ordinary Time
[Num 20:1-13 and Matt 16:13-23]"But who do YOU say that I am?" [Matthew]
The scene at Caesarea Philippi is well known among Catholics because of the authority that Jesus gives to Peter to be the leader of the church. This can easily distract from the question, actually two questions, that Jesus asks the disciples. The first question is: "Who do people say that I am?" That would be an interesting question to ask of any group of Christians, let alone Catholic Christians! The answers could be as varied as those reported by the disciples. (It could be an interesting question for any pastor to ask of his parish council!!!) The second question then turns the tables on the disciples: "But who do YOU say that I am?" Before anyone can say anything, Peter speaks up with the right answer but wrong understanding of the answer. His idea of "the Christ, the Son of the living God" excludes an essential part of Jesus' mission." His understanding is "human" and not God's. Not that he would be expected to be God, but that he is missing a lot of God's plan!
What does OUR understanding of Jesus include or exclude? Who do WE say that he is? That is an important question in spiritual direction, to be sure, but it is one we can all ask. How big is our understanding of Jesus Christ? If we were to ask ourselves the popular question, "What would Jesus DO?", what would that say about our response to the deeper question, "Who IS he?" If Peter's faith was strong but incomplete, we are in good company! AMEN