Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi
It is called Caesarea Philippi to distinguish it from the town of Caesrea in Samaria. The former town was originally called Paneas It was rebuilt by Philip, a son of Herod the Great. It is situated about twenty miles north of the Sea of Galilee at the base of Mt. Hermon. When it was rebuilt by the tetrarch Philip he changed the name to Caesarea Philippi in honor of the Emperor Caesar Augustus and in honor of himself.
and he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
Notice Jesus equates himself with the title of Son of Man. This title is found in the prophet Daniel.
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
In Mt 14:2 Herod had wrongly identified Jesus as Elijah, because of his prophetic and charismatic personality.
Others thought he was Elijah who was believed to return before the Messiah.
Some identified Jesus with the great prophets of old because of his message.
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
This is the same question Jesus asks each of us. The answer to this question determines our relationship with Jesus.
Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
As we will see, it is very significant that Peter was the one who spoke up. For he has been chosen by God to be the head of the Church to be established by Jesus.
To say that Jesus is the Christ means that he is the Messiah. To say that he is the Son of the Living God indicates Jesus’ unique relationship to God in the eyes of Peter.
As we will see, to say the right words is not enough. We must also embrace the full meaning of what we profess. Peter gave the right answer but his understanding of what it meant for Jesus to be Messiah was not accurate.
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.
Jesus acknowledges that Peter’s answer came through the revelation of God and not through human reasoning. To proclaim Jesus as Messiah was a bold move on Peter’s part.
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.
For Peter’s faith proclamation—even though he didn’t understand the full impact—Jesus rewards him with the new position of the head of the Church the Messiah would establish.
The powers of darkness will attempt to destroy it, but will be unable, because it is established by the God/Man and not just by a human being alone.
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."
The keys signify the authority that Peter is given by Jesus. See Is 22:15:25.
Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
This passage is foundational to our understanding as Catholics to the primacy of Peter as the Vicar of Christ on earth as well as the authority given to Peter and his successors in governing the Church.
What does it mean for Jesus to be the Messiah in your life?
"Nothing would please us more than to see our beloved children form the habit of reading the Gospels - not merely from time to time, but every day." (St Pope Pius X) St Paul tells Timothy and us: "You have known the sacred Scriptures, the source of the wisdom which through faith in Jesus Christ leads to salvation. All Scripture is inspired of God and is useful for teaching--for reproof, correction, and training in holiness so that the man of God may be fully competent and equipped for every good work."(2 Tim 3:15-17) Reading and reflecting on the Word of God should be as part of our daily routine as is eating and sleeping. We read other materials for work and pleasure, for knowledge and information. But do we read the Word of God for our edification and sanctification? What would happen? We may "be fully competent and equipped for every good work."
"They deceive themselves who believe that union with God consists in ecstasies or raptures, and in the enjoyment of Him. For it consists in nothing except the surrender and subjection of our will - with our thoughts, words and actions - to the will of God." (St Teresa of Avila) Wasn't this the life and teaching of Jesus? Embracing the will of God for me in the present moment brings me into union with God in a way that the world does not begin to understand. The initial sin of the human race was: "I will not be obedient to God in all things." The redemption of human beings came through the obedience of Jesus to the will of the Father, even to the death of the cross. What united Jesus in his humanity to the Father was this act of trust and surrender. What reflected Mary's true identity as the Mother of Jesus was hearing the word of God and acting on it. As we surrender to the Father's will, especially in those areas which we don't understand, we will be one with the Father. This is the singular path to holiness.
Information:
August Mass for Women
Saturday, August 19, 2017
Bishop's House
107 Albany Dr.
Houma, La.
8:00am
Fellowship afterwards
Bring a friend.
"How can we stay in solitude when we feel that deep urge to be distracted by people and events? The most simple way is to focus our minds and hearts on a word or picture that reminds us of God. By repeating quietly: "The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want," or by gazing lovingly at an icon of Jesus, we can bring our restless minds to some rest and experience a gentle divine presence. This doesn't happen overnight. It takes a faithful practice. But when we spend a few moments every day just being with God, our endless distractions will gradually disappear." (Henri Nouwen) Jesus invites into the quiet so that we may have communion with him, who is our ultimate goal. To remain in the quiet is not easy as most of us have experienced. Like anything else it takes discipline and perseverance. The fruit of this communion is beyond measure. Begin with a few minutes and gradually extend it. Do not get discouraged.
