Today's gospel reading takes place along the way to Caesarea Philippi. The scene is the modern day area. The area was known for the many shrines (altars) built to the god Baal. You may be able to see several niches in the hillside. Yesterday's gospel reading had Jesus in Bethsaida. Today we are a good distance walk (more than a few miles) were Jesus begins his serious instructions with the disciples who, up until this time, "just didn't get it." The miracles worked among the Gentiles near Tyre seemed to pass over the disciples heads and hearts. T0 his passage of today's reading is known as the great confession of Peter. Asked "Who do you say that I am?" he responds "You are the Christ." And what does that mean? Christ? Take the word chrism. It is a clue. Christ = the anointed on. Jesus selects this area of great pagan worship to teach the disciples who he is. It is the first class in Christology 101! The first observation for us is that Peter does not call Jesus the Messiah. It is too soon in the disciples' learning process. But Jesus silences Peter because the disciples were not yet fully aware of the meaning of "the Christ" or even "the Messiah." Much more learning.So, if someone stopped you in a mall or shopping center today or if a young person stopped you and asked "CAN YOU TELL ME WHO YOU BELIEVE JESUS IS?" how quickly and clearly could you answer that question?
The season of Lent begins in six days. "Who do you say that I am" might be a theme that can be used in your prayer during the 40 days. The readings in Lent can be wonderful opportunities to reflect in measured pace on the life of Jesus and what he truly means to you. Perhaps the question may stop you for a time. Perhaps the question may be very difficult for you -- I suspect this is not true if you are taking time to read these daily reflections. However, for most of us today our world and the culture surrounding us, the "demons" of our times greatly challenge our taking time to fully understand our relationship with the Lord.
This gospel event at Caesarea Philippi must have challenged the disciples. Even for people who take religion seriously and make prayer a significant part of their daily lives, the question is a challenge when it confronts us head on. It is so easy to just assume we know who Jesus is in our lives.
A blunt question: If anyone says he/she knows who Jesus truly is, would that person easily stay away from the obligation to attend a Sunday (Saturday vigil) Mass? If knowing Jesus is a major part of one's life, how do immorality or unethical practices infiltrate daily living? If knowing Jesus is a significant part of my life, how important is some daily prayer?
"Who do you say that I am?" is surely a good theme for the upcoming Lenten season.
