Jesus' True Identity
Matthew 16:13-19 | 29 June - Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles Year C (1)
From the Gospel according to Matthew
At that time: When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.’
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus deliberately chose Caesarea Philippi, a region dominated by pagan worship, to pose this foundational question. Located at the foot of Mount Hermon, this area was known for its temple to the Greek god Pan and was considered by pagans to be a "gate to the underworld." Against this backdrop of false gods, Jesus presents the crucial question of His true identity.
"Son of Man" - Jesus' preferred self-designation, linking to Daniel's prophecy
"You are the Christ" - Peter's declaration of Jesus as the promised Messiah
"On this rock" - A divine wordplay on Peter's name (Petros) and the foundation (petra) of the Church
"Gates of hell shall not prevail" - A powerful promise of the Church's invincibility
In a world of competing beliefs and ideologies, Jesus still asks each of us, "Who do you say that I am?" This question transcends mere intellectual knowledge to demand a personal response. Like Peter, our answer must come not from human wisdom but divine revelation. This confession of faith becomes the foundation for our relationship with Christ and our role in His Church.
In our digital age, we're bombarded with countless voices telling us who Jesus is - a great teacher, a revolutionary, a myth. Like the disciples at Caesarea Philippi, we stand amid a marketplace of beliefs. In my own journey, I started seeing Jesus as just a historical figure to recognising Him as the living Son of God. This realisation came not through academic study alone but through personal encounter and divine revelation.
Act: Try to answer Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" Focus not on theological formulas but your heart's true conviction.
Reflect: What influences shape my view of Jesus? How does my answer affect my daily decisions? What prevents me from fully embracing Christ's identity?
Let us pray: Lord, open our eyes to see You as You truly are.
From the sayings of Saint Hannibal Mary Di Francia:
Peter and Paul are examples of love and friendship.