The Sunday Gospel
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap.
Today’s Gospel (Matthew 16:13-20) is a story of new names. In the Bible a new name meant a new mission. First of all, Jesus asked the disciples: “Who do people say I am?” Names of former heroes were recalled. “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter spoke up. “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
This was the first time that Jesus was given the new name, Christ. It is a name meaning the Anointed One.
To the Jews this meant the promised Messiah. In the Old Testament people were anointed unto three important roles of leadership, as prophet, priest and king. A prophet’s role was to reveal God’s presence and action in our lives. A priest was to mediate between people and God through leading their worship. A king was anointed to serve the people with responsibility and care. Now, all three roles are found in the one person, Jesus, so he is called the Christ, the Anointed One.
Christened
Our naming day was at our baptism. In addition to our name, immediately after baptism with water, we were anointed with chrism to signify our union with Christ as our prophet, priest and king.
In a word, we were Christened, that is Christ-ened. As prophets we seek to recognise God’s presence in our lives. We share in the priesthood of Christ by taking part at Mass in glorifying the Father through Jesus, with him and in him.
We share in the kingship of Christ by working for a world guided by God’s law in respect for life, in justice and sharing of the world’s resources. If we live up to the grace of Baptism we will be the salt of the earth and light of the world.
This moment of recognition of Jesus as the Christ came to Simon Peter as a wonderful gift of Faith bestowed by God. Nothing shows up the shallowness of Faith so much as the careless use of these sacred names, Jesus the Christ.
Naming Peter
After Simon, son of Jonah, identified Jesus with the new name of Christ, it was the turn of Simon to receive his new name which would express his new role. Jesus recognised that the very special faith of Simon was a special gift of God.
“It was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. So now I say to you: you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church.”
Peter means a rock. At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had spoken of building a house on solid rock. The first foundation rock of the house of the Church would be Peter. He alone is promised the keys of the kingdom. Keys represent authority.
Then Jesus looked to the future: “You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it.” In other words, the powers of evil will never conquer this Church. Never! What a wonderful promise! After the resurrection, the Risen Lord returned to appoint Peter as the new shepherd of the flock: “Feed my lambs, feed my sheep.” Peter now represents Christ the Good Shepherd, leading the flock.
Prayers
Enlightened and encouraged by the light of the Gospel, we pray for Pope Francis, the successor of St Peter as the Bishop of Rome: as Peter was blessed in his Faith, so may his successor guide the Church with divine wisdom.
Lord, protect your Church and never allow the forces of evil to infiltrate the community of believers.
The names Jesus and Christ are sacred names. May we never use these names irreverently.
Peter received the grace of a deep faith in Jesus. May we also grow in our personal relationship with God. (Add prayers for any local, personal or topical intention)
God our Father, graciously listen to the prayers we offer in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.
Silvester O’Flynn has recently published a book Gospel Reflections and Prayers (Columba Books).