“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
The right answer to this question can only come through faith. The world will attempt to answer it based on what has been seen before, comparing the person in question to past patterns. And while there was a real way in which Jesus was a new Moses and a new David he was more than these. The old patterns pointed toward but could not contain him. One could look at Jesus, see the similarities, but realize that Jesus was something greater. The question that a person should then ask oneself:
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Who do we say that Jesus is? It is not sufficient to see in him a person, a teacher, or a miracle worker. What we do see in him is someone so uniquely related to the Father that only the Father can tell us who he is.
Simon Peter said in reply,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
We might be inclined to wonder why Jesus would build a Church if every person must answer this question for herself.
And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
Although the question of faith is one we ask, which God answers, it is also true that the answer is only to be found in the community where Christ is present to be known and experienced. The Church is in this sense the prime matter which God puts into act by his grace. And it is something more secure and reliable than a mere collection of raw materials that may or may not give evidence of an underlying order as circumstances dictate. Instead, the Spirit is present in and and safeguards the Church through the ages to ensure that we will have access to the truth and the sacramental power of Jesus himself. Because of this the question we ask can find a response, not in our subjective state, but in Jesus, present to us.
The Lord defends his Church. He does not necessarily spare us from every hardship we encounter, but instead he keeps the barque of Peter safe even amidst the worst of storms so that her continued survival has become itself a testimony to God's presence in her. God did not prevent Peter from being thrown in prison. But he did deliver him.
Then he said to him, “Put on your cloak and follow me.”
Paul experienced every sort of trial, but in the end this only strengthened his faith. He became convinced that there was no obstacle which God could not overcome, even death itself.
The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat
and will bring me safe to his heavenly Kingdom.
To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
It is the same for us. The Lord does not promise that we won't experience difficulties in this life. Quite the opposite, he assures us we will. But he promises that we will always have enough grace to not only survive, but to thrive, and to be victorious.
God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it (see First Corinthians 10:13).
What do Peter and Paul have to say to us today in our own age? They testify to the God who is faithful to his promises, whom they have known in the person of Jesus. They invite us to the same relationship with him that they had, the gift of our one Father in heaven.
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