Dear brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ,
Who do people say that the Son of Man is?
Jesus wanted to have a survey to know that the people are now aware of who He is and to know the opinions of the people and to examine the success of His mission.
Today’s readings therefore remind us that God calls us, entrusts us with responsibility, and asks us to remain faithful to Him by revealing Himself as the Son of the Living God.
In the First Reading from the prophet Isaiah, we hear about Shebna, who is removed from his position, and Eliakim is given authority in his place. God entrusts Eliakim with responsibility over His people. This reminds us that authority is not simply a privilege; it is a responsibility to serve others faithfully.
In the Second Reading from St. Paul to the Romans, Paul praises the wisdom and greatness of God. He reminds us that God’s ways are far beyond our understanding: “How deep are the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!” We may not always understand what God is doing in our lives, but we are called to trust His wisdom. However, God is ever ready to reveal Himself to those who love Him and whoever he has chosen.
Then, in the Gospel, Jesus asks His disciples: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” Why did Jesus raise this question at His disciples? This is absolutely after having revealed Himself in different ways, Messiah (Mt. 1:1), Son of David (Mt. 1:1), King of the Jews (Mt.2:2), Son of God (Mt. 3:17), Beloved Son (Mt. 3:17), Teacher (Mt.5:7), God’s chosen Servant (Mt. 12:18). It’s obvious there is a beautiful progression established in the Matthean Gospel and Jesus has already made known to His people who He is. After having heard the results of this popular survey their answers were wrong. Now Jesus turns to His inner circle, the disciples and asks the more personal question: “But who do you say that I am?”
Peter responds: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus then gives Peter a special mission: “You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my Church.” Peter is entrusted with leadership, not because he is perfect, but because he has faith in Christ having understood that there was something qualitatively different about his Master. Jesus calls him by a new name: in Aramaic Cephas (rock), rendered in Greek as Petros and in English as Peter. On this rock, Jesus declared that He would build His Ekklesia, His Church.
These three readings come together beautifully. God gives responsibility, God gives wisdom, and God calls us to faith.
The question Jesus asks Peter is also addressed to each one of us today: “Who do you say that I am?” It is easy to say that Jesus is the Son of God when everything is going well. But the real test of our faith comes when we face difficulties, challenges, disappointments, sickness, problems in the family, in our communities or in the society, uncertainty about the future.
Do we still say, “Jesus, you are my Lord. I trust you”?
Peter himself was not perfect. He made plenty of mistakes and even denied Jesus three times. Yet Jesus continued to work through him. This gives us hope. God does not call perfect people; He calls people who are willing to trust Him and allow Him to work through them.
Like Peter and Eliakim, we too have been entrusted with responsibilities – with our families, our work, our communities, and the people God has placed in our lives. We are called not to use authority for ourselves, but to serve with humility and love. The more you become humble, God will strengthen you even more. So, as we take part in this Eucharist, let us ask ourselves:
Who is Jesus in my life? And may our answer not be only words, but something we show through the way we live, forgive, serve, and love.
Finally, only believers who recognise who Christ is, have a special place in Him. Therefore, our greatest desire every day should be, as St. Paul says, “To know Christ and the power of His resurrection and to share in His suffering by becoming like Him in His death” (Phil. 1:10).
May we have the faith of Peter to say with confidence:
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” – Amen.
Have a Blessed Sunday!
Fr Treesen Silva is the Assistant Priest of St Patrick’s Catholic Church Guildford and the Chaplain for the Sri Lankan Catholic Community.
