Sermon Thoughts – 12th Sunday Year C (Lk 9, 18-24)
The gospel passage from Luke is very much clear to any Christian. Jesus is making a self assessment. He is doing this in a very prudent manner. He is asking his disciples, what the opinion on him from the crowds is. It is interesting to note that Luke uses the term “crowd” in many of his passages. Thereby he may be pointing out the common, with out mentioning a special group. In this crowd every body is included. This also mentions the style of Jesus’ ministry. He moved many people with his life.
And this crowd were having an expectation in the renewed mission in Jesus. The answer proves it. The figures of Elijah and John the Baptist stand for a redemption and salvation. It could be either religious or political. Any how the common people were in want of nearest “freedom”.
Jesus places then the next question. The question is of course addressing the whole disciples. “You” is used in a plural form. Now Jesus wants the very core reply. He wants to know in what manner he influenced them, through the special living-together and teachings.
Peter is the one answers the question. I think this answer was a united one, as we find no counter arguments in the passage.
Why Jesus is asking this?
Jesus knew, just like the opinions of the crowd, there will be many other opinions among the people. He wanted to know whether his friends have the same opinion as some common people having. If then, his life with them till the day was meaningless.
The reply of Peter shows, they had perceived Jesus some one special; the anointed of God. Yes, He is greater than any Prophet. By their proclamation, they place Jesus to God.
But, Jesus’ command to his friends was not to make their conviction public. Not yet. It was not because, their faith was wrong, but Jesus wanted to know whether they remain in this conviction. So he reveals his upcoming passion and death. Some unexpected bitter days: He wants to know, how they react to this situation. If they overcome these days with their faith, they can proclaim their conviction.
Later, we are meeting the disciples, who appear to be weak in this conviction; at least for certain hours. But except Judas, others regain their faith in Jesus, in an extra ordinary way. And they proclaim their life experience with the Son of God, in Jesus.
Now, Jesus asks me and you the same question.
What do you say about me?
He wants not a general theologically configured answer. He wants from me a personal conviction: My life experience with him. This is not an easy job. Our world is having many concepts and faiths regarding God. There are right as well as wrong messages on God.
Now, where is my faith? What did I acquire through my past faithful years? What is my life conviction on God?
Is my God someone who stays with me? Do I have perception in person?
Yes, Jesus is happy when we achieve it. Let us live for it. May God bless us all! Amen.
-
Fr Thomas Kalathil
The gospel passage from Luke is very much clear to any Christian. Jesus is making a self assessment. He is doing this in a very prudent manner. He is asking his disciples, what the opinion on him from the crowds is. It is interesting to note that Luke uses the term “crowd” in many of his passages. Thereby he may be pointing out the common, with out mentioning a special group. In this crowd every body is included. This also mentions the style of Jesus’ ministry. He moved many people with his life.
And this crowd were having an expectation in the renewed mission in Jesus. The answer proves it. The figures of Elijah and John the Baptist stand for a redemption and salvation. It could be either religious or political. Any how the common people were in want of nearest “freedom”.
Jesus places then the next question. The question is of course addressing the whole disciples. “You” is used in a plural form. Now Jesus wants the very core reply. He wants to know in what manner he influenced them, through the special living-together and teachings.
Peter is the one answers the question. I think this answer was a united one, as we find no counter arguments in the passage.
Why Jesus is asking this?
Jesus knew, just like the opinions of the crowd, there will be many other opinions among the people. He wanted to know whether his friends have the same opinion as some common people having. If then, his life with them till the day was meaningless.
The reply of Peter shows, they had perceived Jesus some one special; the anointed of God. Yes, He is greater than any Prophet. By their proclamation, they place Jesus to God.
But, Jesus’ command to his friends was not to make their conviction public. Not yet. It was not because, their faith was wrong, but Jesus wanted to know whether they remain in this conviction. So he reveals his upcoming passion and death. Some unexpected bitter days: He wants to know, how they react to this situation. If they overcome these days with their faith, they can proclaim their conviction.
Later, we are meeting the disciples, who appear to be weak in this conviction; at least for certain hours. But except Judas, others regain their faith in Jesus, in an extra ordinary way. And they proclaim their life experience with the Son of God, in Jesus.
Now, Jesus asks me and you the same question.
What do you say about me?
He wants not a general theologically configured answer. He wants from me a personal conviction: My life experience with him. This is not an easy job. Our world is having many concepts and faiths regarding God. There are right as well as wrong messages on God.
Now, where is my faith? What did I acquire through my past faithful years? What is my life conviction on God?
Is my God someone who stays with me? Do I have perception in person?
Yes, Jesus is happy when we achieve it. Let us live for it. May God bless us all! Amen.
-
Fr Thomas Kalathil
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