Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Mt 16:16)

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Mt 16:16)

Today’s Passage: Mt 16:13-20

Meditation:     What is the content of today’s gospel reading? It is Peter’s declaration about Jesus as “the messiah, the son of the living God.” What was the context of this answer of Peter? It was a prompt answer to Jesus’ question about what the disciples think of him who he is. At what place this conversation has this taken place? It has taken place in the town of Caesarea Philippi, an area of temples of the ancient Syrian Baal worship and Caesar worship. Why did Jesus, then, want his disciples confess him at this particular place? I think this has a lot to do with the place from where Peter is making this public confession. Today, I want to meditate on this subject particularly. Of course, public confession or proclamation doesn’t mean always you stand in the public corners with microphone and loud speakers and preach his kingdom message. There are plenty of occasions where we can silently and effectively proclaim him. I am proud to tell you that even the Christian name, the pious articles and dresses you wear, the way you behave before others, and your habit formation, etc are the simple and real means of your proclamation of Jesus. All those things are to be made use of in our daily life for a better proclamation of Jesus. Some may think that the identity revelation is sometimes dangerous. Yes, it is surely dangerous when you do evil, wearing all these things. Like the Israelites, who marked their houses with the blood of the lamb, were saved, you also will be saved by God. For Jesus promises, “If anyone declares publicly that he belongs to me; I will do the same for him before my Father in heaven. But if he anyone rejects me publicly, I will reject him too before my Father in heaven.” (Mt 10:32, 33) The first commandment itself is, “I am the Lord your God, you shall not have other gods before me.” (Ex 20:1,2) Let us also not be among those hypocrites, who praises him inside the church and denies him before others through his words and deeds.

Prayer:  Lord God, we thank you and praise you for your daily eternal bread. We are very active in the family and church prayers where we feel a social religious security. But, when we are outside this religious atmosphere often we don’t want to reveal ourselves which can lead us even to give counter witness to you. Give us the courage of Elijah who firmly believed in you and challenged the king and 450 prophets of Baal in our daily lives. Amen! 

Greetings:       Take courage God is with you! Have a nice and blissful Sunday…