A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 16:13-20
Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 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. 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. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
REFLECTION: “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
In school, the professor sometimes would ask a sudden question, unexpected and probing. It either was his way of waking you up or to provoke one to think more deeply, especially on the spot. We would have to have the answer but also explain it. That was his way of seeing whether we knew the material. Usually if we did not know the answer, after class we researched the question. It was a challenge.
When Jesus asked the question, " Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" there were several opinions. The apostles were repeating what others had said. Did they have the right answer?
Yet, another provoking question was asked. This time more specific, "But who do you say I am?" He was asking His apostles to go deeper in their faith. Peter's answer was his heart opening up to the divinity of Jesus. “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” He knew through divine revelation who Jesus was.
We have been taught by our parents, priests, teachers and friends about God. Would we be able to answer who Jesus is in our lives and explain to others why He is important? Do we understand our Catholic faith? Do we know our faith?
PAPA has a great learning tool--FACE Zoom Bible Study (FACE ZBS). Father Michael (our spiritual advisor) teaches and explains our faith based on the Bible. We are also learning the Critical or the Catholic way of Thinking and Hearing. Please join us to learn and understand our faith.
God Bless You.
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