(See the readings for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time)
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” Peter says to Jesus. The confession (another way of saying “profession of faith”) is profound as Jesus notes. He had asked the disciples about His identity. People today still wrestle with the question – “who is Jesus?”
At first Jesus asks what are the people saying. The answer comes basically as a “great prophet” – John the Baptist, Elijah or Jeremiah. That’s not a wrong answer but it is incomplete. Jesus certainly follows in the line of the prophets who are God’s spokespersons calling Israel to repentance and hope.
When Jesus asks the disciples it is Peter who answers. Jesus did not direct the question to him alone but to “them,” but it is Peter who speaks up and answers. The confession of faith coming from him is acknowledged by Jesus himself. Peter’s role comes as one singled out by the Father. Jesus notes this as he declares Peter’s role and the ministry of the keys.
The significance of Peter’s role is also highlighted when we consider the kingdom of heaven of which Jesus has been preaching since the beginning of the ministry. The Gospels of Mark and Luke use the term “Kingdom of God,” referring to the same thing. Given all that Jesus has taught, proclaimed and witnessed to the Kingdom of God, Peter’s office is significant.
In one sense he represents the apostles and disciples and the entire Church who will carry on the ministry of Christ after His ascension to heaven. Peter’s leadership position will eventually lead him to Rome where he is martyred.
The unique ministry of Peter in the leadership of the Church continues today in the “Petrine Office,” that of the Holy Father, the Bishop of Rome, Pope Leo XIV. Sometimes we might see the pope as a world leader or figure of great influence in the affairs of the world. That he is surely, but his ministry and mission is something greater than a political figure or influencer. He has been given the same responsibility of St. Peter, to lead the Church in her confession of faith.
He speaks out in defense of the needy, the poor, the migrants, the outcasts, the refugees and the rejected because the Church believes that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. The pope offers the hand of friendship to peoples of other faiths because the Church believes that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. The pope calls for repentance and faith, because the Church believes that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.
Peter’s confession of faith continues today in the many and varied aspects of life in the Church. The wide variety of ministries carried on by the Church in proclaiming the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus include the sacramental ministry, preaching the Word, feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, educating those who seek knowledge, clothing the naked, giving shelter to the homeless, providing welcome for the foreigner, aiding the unemployed, caring for the sick and infirmed, or assisting the elderly and those who are alone.
Each one of us shares in Peter’s confession of faith when we proclaim the good news in these varied ways. The work continues until the Lord’s return and we all have a share in His glory. Peter, a broken human being like each of us, gives us an example of the power of God’s grace and mercy. Peter will be a bold, courageous and zealous leader; he will also humbly submit himself to God’s mercy after he denies the Lord three times.
Recognizing Peter’s unique role in the life of the Church, we regularly pray for his successor, the Bishop of Rome, Pope Leo as he leads the Church and we join with him in professing to all, as Peter did, that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
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Msgr. Joseph Prior is pastor of St. Dorothy Parish in Drexel Hill and a former professor of Sacred Scripture and rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. Read more reflections by Msgr. Prior here.
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