Readings: Isaiah 22:19-23; Romans 11:33-36; Matthew 16:13-20
Theme: ‘But who do you say I am?’ (Mt 16:15)
By Michael McCabe, SMA
Today’s gospel reading begins with Jesus asking his disciples a question about his identity: ‘Who do the people say the Son of Man is? (Mt 16:13). In referring to himself as the Son of Man, Jesus is identifying himself with the Messianic figure mentioned in the Book of Daniel, the divinely chosen leader sent to end Israel’s oppression, and establish God’s reign of justice, peace and integrity (cf. Daniel 7:13-14). The response of the disciples shows that the people see Jesus as a great prophet, a spokesperson for God, like Elijah, Jeremiah or John the Baptist, but no more than that.
Without commenting on this response, Jesus puts an altogether more pointed and personal question to his chosen companions, who share his life on a daily basis, witness his miracles, hear him preach and see him pray: ‘But you, who do you say I am’? (Mt 16: 15). This question is, in the words of Father Simeon, a Trappist monk, the ‘hopeful query of a Lover who needs to know to what extent he is known, understood, and accepted in his deepest identity by those he loves, those to whom he has been at pains to manifest himself’. Simon, speaking on behalf of his companions, responds: ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God’ (Mt 16:16). With these words, Simon is clearly confessing that Jesus, their teacher and guide, is indeed the long-awaited Messiah, the one in whom God’s promises for the people of Israel are being realised. Clearly pleased with Simon’s response, Jesus affirms his confession of faith as divinely inspired and declares Simon blessed: ‘Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah! For it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven’ (Mt 16:17).
Jesus then goes on to give Simon a new name, a new identity, a special authority within the community he is forming, and an awesome promise in regard to the future: ‘And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it’ (Mt 16: 18). Peter (the name is taken from the Aramaic root word for ‘rock’) is to become the rock, the foundation of the community that will carry the name and the authority of Jesus to the whole world. On him, together with his Apostolic companions as the faithful communicators of Jesus’ life and message, Jesus will build his Church, a Church that will endure, despite the assaults of the Evil One.
We have here a testimony to the firmness of the Church’s foundation whose strength comes from the authority of Jesus and his promise to Peter: ‘I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven’ (Mt 16:19). These words echo the promise made by the Lord to Eliakim in our first reading from the prophet Isaiah: ‘I place the key of the House of David on his shoulder; should he open no one shall close; should he close no one shall open (Is 22:22). Jesus is conferring on Peter a unique role of leadership and authority in the Church. He is the one whose decisions in faith will be confirmed by God.
Catholics consider the Pope the successor of Peter, sharing the same charism or gift of leadership the Jesus conferred on Peter. This leadership is not one of coercion or political power, but of example and service. Traditionally the Pope has been called the ‘servant of the servants of God’. The Pope is not a dictator. He does not decide what the members of the Church should believe. Rather, he communicates to the Church at large what it already believes. He is the focal point of unity of the Church’s one faith and communion in the Spirit. He is the servant of the community of believers, united in one faith.
In the Church today, where there are so many different, and often conflicting, understandings of Jesus and what it means to be his disciples, the role of the Pope as a focal point of unity is perhaps more important than ever. It is a demanding and difficult role. At the present time, Pope Leo, is striving to reform the Church in the service of its mission, by continuing the synodal process launched by his predecessor, Pope Francis, in October 2021. As we continue this Eucharist, let us pray for him, and for the success of the ongoing synodal process. And, let us also take him as our reference point in our own efforts to understand the One whose mission we serve and who is also asking each one of us today: ‘Who do you say that I am?’
Listen to an alternative audio Homily by Tom Casey, SMA: