Dear Preachers:

Isn’t today’s feast unusual? Who but Christ could have brought together two more different people than Peter and Paul? Though they were very different, both believed in Christ and gave their lives in service to him. Their lives were transformed by Jesus. Had Peter not met him, he likely would have continued fishing for a living. Paul would have remained a devout Pharisee, intent on persecuting Christians. But on the road to Damascus, he had a profound spiritual encounter with Christ.

Peter and Paul—so different in background and temperament—each met Jesus and responded in faith. That encounter changed their lives completely. They surrendered in trust to God’s plan. Today, rather than just admiring them, we could pray for a deeper commitment to lives that reflect, as theirs did, the Messiah they served.

The Jews of Jesus’ time were not a free people. They lived under harsh Roman occupation. Yet they held fast to the belief that God would send a king to liberate them—a Messiah who would overthrow their oppressors and bring justice and peace to the world. They had waited a long time, trusting in God’s promise.

But no one knew exactly who the Messiah would be, what he would be like, or when he would come. Many expected a warrior-king who would lead a revolt against the Romans. Others hoped for a religious reformer who would purify the Temple and restore true worship. Some even claimed to be the Messiah, but the Romans quickly eliminated them, and their followers scattered.

Against this backdrop, Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" He posed this question in an important location: Caesarea Philippi, in the far north of Israel—outside their usual territory. Isn’t that often where faith is tested? When we face difficult decisions, or are outside our comfort zone, we may feel alone or distanced from our faith community. In those moments, our response becomes deeply personal.

Simon Peter answered on behalf of the others: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." At this point in the Gospel, Peter was not yet affirming Jesus’ divinity as we understand it today. The title "Son of God" in Scripture often referred to someone with a special relationship with God. Peter was acknowledging Jesus as the one Israel had long awaited—not Caesar, not any earthly ruler, but God’s chosen one, the true King of Israel.

How did Peter come to this profound profession of faith? Not by his own insight or merit. Jesus made that clear: "Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father." Peter’s faith, like ours, was a gift of grace. It is upon this graced faith—the rock—that the Church is built. Jesus also warned that his Church would face opposition until he returns. We still live amid that conflict between Christ’s way and "the gates of the netherworld." Yet, as Jesus asked Peter, so he asks each of us, "But who do you say I am?" With Peter, we are assured of the grace we need to live out our answer.

Jesus’ response to Peter shows he is not founding a city, or fortress. Instead, he is building a community—his Church—composed of faithful followers who pledge allegiance to him as God’s anointed leader.

Each of us must answer Jesus’ question personally: "But who do you say that I am?" We may offer many correct answers: "Son of God," "Lord and Savior," "King of the Universe." But beyond those titles, each believer must give a personal answer. Our response reveals our faith and shapes the path of our lives.

And our response must be lived out in action. If we say, "You are the Prince of Peace," we must work for peace. If we call him "Friend of the Poor," we must direct our lives toward those in need. If we proclaim him "Lover of Children," we must not only cherish our own families, but also work for the protection and welfare of all children in our society.

After Peter’s confession, Jesus turned his attention to the Church. Our identity is rooted in Peter’s profession: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Peter did not arrive at this truth by intellect alone; it was revealed to him by God. While Jesus calls Peter the rock, it is not Peter’s natural abilities that make him the Church’s foundation. Christ himself is the true foundation, and he builds his Church on the faith revealed by God.

Paul, too, offers a powerful witness today. He invites us, like him, to offer our lives in service and praise to God, "poured out like a libation." This sacrifice is not one we can make by our own strength. Paul reminds us that, even in trial, "The Lord stood by me." That same Lord stands by us, giving us strength for all the demands that come with serving Christ.

"Preaching in the Light of the Word: Enlivening the Scriptural Imagination."

Edited by Michael E. Connors, CSC (Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2024)

A rich variety of essays by preachers, theologians and scripture
scholars which focus on scripturally-based preaching. A resource
for preachers to grow in a variety of approaches to preaching.
Also, the essays will help laity deepen in a spirituality of the Word of God.

Jesus said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter
 said in reply, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Our modern church has much work to do in the name of Jesus and we face various challenges to our identity as his followers. In one way or another we are frequently asked, "Who do you say Jesus is?" We are invited to trust today that the One who blessed Peter with rock-like faith, so that he could respond to that question, will also provide us the faith we need, so that we can respond in words and actions----"Jesus is the anointed one, the Son of the living God." Perhaps people won’t even have to ask about the object of our faith, they will see the characteristic signs of it in our daily lives.

• Who or what have most challenged my faith in Jesus?

• What response did I make to that challenge?

• Was I aware of the presence of God helping me make that response?

POSTCARDS TO DEATH ROW INMATES

"One has to strongly affirm that condemnation to the death penalty is an inhuman measure that humiliates personal dignity, in whatever form it is carried out."

Inmates on death row are the most forgotten people in the prison system. Each week I am posting in this space several inmates’ names and locations. I invite you to write a postcard to one or more of them to let them know that: we have not forgotten them; are praying for them and their families; or, whatever personal encouragement you might like to give them. If the inmate responds, you might consider becoming pen pals.

Please write to:

----Central Prison P.O. 247 Phoenix, MD 21131

Please note: Central Prison is in Raleigh, NC., but for security purposes, mail to inmates is processed through a clearing house at the above address in Maryland.

If you would like to support this ministry, please send tax deductible contributions to fr. Jude Siciliano, OP.:

St. Albert Priory

Vince Hagan Drive

Irving, Texas 75062-4736

Make checks payable to: Dominican Friars.

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