God is a mystery. We have learned it so in our childhood.
Even though we are grown up, God is still a mystery to us.
And it will be so.
As God is a mystery, his ways are often mysterious. As the Apostle Paul writes in Romans:
“How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!”.
St Paul had understood God much and still speaks precisely of the inscrutability of God.
If we consider the behavior of Jesus in the Gospel today, we can not help but think, God's ways are mysterious.
Then it is interesting:
Jesus first asks about the opinion of the people.
These people have not many possibilities to know Jesus.
They saw his many miracles and were astonished about his words and courage. They immediately reminded a prophetical nature in Jesus.
Thus they believed Jesus was a prophet.
The disciples, however, have better experience with Jesus and therefore a better opinion too. Peter is here, representing their faith and say it boldly,
"You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!"
Actually, Jesus is supposed to be happy that his disciples have understood him correctly. He could possibly ask for, that they should continue declaring this because they have learned the most important lesson.
But Jesus says quietly to tell no one that he was the Messiah.
Yes, his behavior is at unbelievable and because of this style Jesus differs from the others.
Jesus had other reasons to this secrecy.
Then Jesus already knew that their faith is not perfect at this time.
He knew that Peter will soon think differently.
He knew that his disciples seek some better places in his "kingdom".
He knew some of them think that his kingdom is like any other kingdoms.
Jesus knew that they need more time to learn about the “Messiah” closer.
Yet Jesus had great faith in them – in this trust he leaves the “keys” to Peter.
That was certainly not a transfer of power but a handover of service.
He and his friends are called to live this service of concern, patience, love and mercy that Jesus lived.
Not only Peter, but there are many chosen to carry these “keys”.
In the first reading we heard about Eliakim. His name means “God raises”.
God has done so: he was raised as the master of the house of David.
It happens again and again. God seeks people again and again to hand over his “keys of service and love”. Like Peter, God needs people to work for his kingdom. He needs you and me.
The disciples have proclaimed him as the savior, even to the end of the world. In that manner they remained faithful to their proclamation / faith in the Messiah.
Now we are in the place of the disciples.
He gives us despite our weakness, His infinite and eternal grace and faith.
Do we dare like Peter to proclaim Jesus power in our words and deeds?
May God bless us to live our faith deliberately. Amen!
---
Fr Thomas Kalathil
Even though we are grown up, God is still a mystery to us.
And it will be so.
As God is a mystery, his ways are often mysterious. As the Apostle Paul writes in Romans:
“How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!”.
St Paul had understood God much and still speaks precisely of the inscrutability of God.
If we consider the behavior of Jesus in the Gospel today, we can not help but think, God's ways are mysterious.
Then it is interesting:
Jesus first asks about the opinion of the people.
These people have not many possibilities to know Jesus.
They saw his many miracles and were astonished about his words and courage. They immediately reminded a prophetical nature in Jesus.
Thus they believed Jesus was a prophet.
The disciples, however, have better experience with Jesus and therefore a better opinion too. Peter is here, representing their faith and say it boldly,
"You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!"
Actually, Jesus is supposed to be happy that his disciples have understood him correctly. He could possibly ask for, that they should continue declaring this because they have learned the most important lesson.
But Jesus says quietly to tell no one that he was the Messiah.
Yes, his behavior is at unbelievable and because of this style Jesus differs from the others.
Jesus had other reasons to this secrecy.
Then Jesus already knew that their faith is not perfect at this time.
He knew that Peter will soon think differently.
He knew that his disciples seek some better places in his "kingdom".
He knew some of them think that his kingdom is like any other kingdoms.
Jesus knew that they need more time to learn about the “Messiah” closer.
Yet Jesus had great faith in them – in this trust he leaves the “keys” to Peter.
That was certainly not a transfer of power but a handover of service.
He and his friends are called to live this service of concern, patience, love and mercy that Jesus lived.
Not only Peter, but there are many chosen to carry these “keys”.
In the first reading we heard about Eliakim. His name means “God raises”.
God has done so: he was raised as the master of the house of David.
It happens again and again. God seeks people again and again to hand over his “keys of service and love”. Like Peter, God needs people to work for his kingdom. He needs you and me.
The disciples have proclaimed him as the savior, even to the end of the world. In that manner they remained faithful to their proclamation / faith in the Messiah.
Now we are in the place of the disciples.
He gives us despite our weakness, His infinite and eternal grace and faith.
Do we dare like Peter to proclaim Jesus power in our words and deeds?
May God bless us to live our faith deliberately. Amen!
---
Fr Thomas Kalathil
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