Matthew 16:13–19
Now 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, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 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."
Reflection
The traditional setting for this memorable encounter in Caesarea Philippi is a lovely riverbank under a huge rocky cliff. Jesus asks: /Who do people say that I am?/ Impetuous Peter, always ready to speak out and take risks, confesses Jesus as the Messiah. It is an inspired confession. This uneducated fisherman, who was to prove so shaky when Jesus was arrested, is rewarded with a new name, suggested by the great solid rock above them; and with a new role, leading the people of God. His strength is not in his warm, impetuous nature, but in the power of God. Lord, you did not leave us orphans. We are the people of God, with a leader, and the support of the Holy Spirit. I am not alone. The motley band of the twelve with Peter as leader would guide the future community of Jesus. They believed that Jesus was the Son of God, and later they would die for that. Our community today is somewhat similar—the motley group who are saintly and sinful, but who with firm faith believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Peter is praised today within the church for his belief and faith in Jesus as the Son of the living God. This faith would lead him into times of doubt, of unfaithfulness, and eventually to martyrdom. The first call in his following of Jesus was to grow in the faith that would sustain his life. May our faith do the same.