Walking with Jesus: 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Sunday, August 27, 2023

Isaiah 22:19-23; Romans 1:16-19, 11:33-36; Matthew 16:13-20

There are many titles for God in our Scripture and in all religions of the world. All the people who praise and worship God have formal expressions and personal favorites when they pray to God. Christian and Muslim religions have various titles for Jesus, to better understand who Jesus is and what He means to them. Matthew places the Gospel at Caesarea Philippi, which was situated about 30 miles north of the Sea of Galilee at the foot of Mount Hermon. Some scholars and Holy Land guides believe that Jesus was transfigured at this snow-capped mountain. Most scholars hold it is the present site of Transfiguration Mountain, which has a beautiful Church and grounds on a high hill all by itself close to the Sea of Galilee.

Today Jesus asks a question to His disciples: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” [Matthew 16:13] Each of us would have slightly different answers to this question.  The Baltimore Catechism states, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the second Person of the Blessed Trinity, true God and true man.” [Lesson 7, #330] Peter tells us today that Jesus is the true Son of God who came to save humanity from sin and death. Because Jesus is both God and man, He is human and divine in His relationship to each person. That being so, He may be a teacher, friend, confidant, savior, and/or redeemer to us. When we are hurting, we may feel that He is a strict ruler, a despot, an unforgiving or even unfriendly God. John’s gospel constantly reminds us that God loves us and that Jesus consistently shows this love in His concern, care and ministry to the sick, disabled, and lost people He deals with each day. So if I responded to Jesus’ question today, what title would I give Him? What description would I have for His relationship with me?

In the first verse of our reading in Isaiah (22:19), the prophet tells of Shebna who is about to removed from his position as master of the royal palace. A few verses earlier (22:16), Shebna had built a monument and built a grave for himself on the heights of the city. It seems that Shebna has used his connections and influence to further his own interests while disregarding the needs of the people of Jerusalem, especially the poor and needy. Isaiah predicts that since Shebna isn’t living up to God’s standards of kindness and love, he will be replaced by Eliakim, a person God calls a true servant. He will determine who has and doesn't have access to the king, and that only those who serve God worthily will be allowed to influence royal policies. Isaiah also identifies a leader’s qualities: They should be fatherlike, not lording it over those in need, determined, purposeful, and dependable.

Paul continues to instruct the Roman community in understanding who and what God is: All glory belongs to God who has no need of human counsel. All things are from Him, through Him, and for Him. God’s ways escape human understanding. God has extended a wealth of gifts to Israel, and simultaneously, while honoring His promises to Israel, He can extend gifts once reserved for Israel to all nations. Paul concludes with a doxology singing God’s glory in response to what God can accomplish in His mystery.

Peter’s confession of faith in Jesus being the Messiah is found in all three synoptic Gospels of which Matthew’s is the most detailed, giving signs that his church modified the confession for the whole Church. He emphasizes the special role and commissioning granted by Jesus to Peter. Jesus asks what the common people are saying about Him. The apostles give honest and safe responses. Then Jesus asks each of them individually, “But who do you say that I am?” [Matthew 16:15] Peter proclaims firmly, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” [Matthew 16:16]

In many Biblical translations, Messiah is used instead of Christ. At this point it seems that many of the other apostles are still struggling with identifying Jesus as the Messiah. Matthew has here combined Peter’s confession with a post-resurrection of faith in Jesus as Son of the living God. We can see this in the appearance of the risen Jesus to Peter, as seen in Luke when the Emmaus disciples have returned to Jerusalem “… where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them who were saying, ‘The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!’” [Luke 24:34] The full understanding of what all this means is possible only through Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Jesus, therefore, gives strict orders to His disciples to say nothing about this to anyone. It can only be understood when it happens — when Jesus rises — when He has fulfilled His promises and proved He is God.

The mystery surrounding God brings richness to our lives by helping us understand that not everything can be explained. We could never in a million years reach the limits of understanding God. There is always more to learn, more areas in which to grow — and only God can grant us that growth. God is so rich that it is only He who can give us the knowledge of who Jesus is, so that we can proclaim Him as the Christ … as the Messiah … as the Son of the Living God … as God, and more. The Holy Spirit is constantly growing us, leading us and giving us a desire to understand God more and deepen our relationship with Him. The more we understand our God, and God in Jesus, the more the promise and reality of heaven will be ours when we are with Him for all eternity.

So I reflect on:

• Who can full know the mind of God?
• What could we ever give Him that would lead us to expect anything in return? (See Romans 11:34-35.)

Sacred Space 2023 states:

“Jesus could trust Peter to be honest — he would say what was on his mind and in his heart. As Jesus asks me the same question, I answer honestly, knowing that nothing I say will alienate Jesus. If I am uncertain about what to say, I invite Jesus to look at my life and to see how I give witness.”