Friday, September 26, 2003
25th Week in Ordinary Time

1st Reading: Hg 1:15-2:9
Gospel: Lk 9:18-22

One day when Jesus was praying alone, not far from his disciples, he asked them, "What do people say about me?" And they answered, "Some say that you are John the Baptist; others say that you are Elijah, and still others that you are one of the former prophets risen from the dead." Again Jesus asked them, "Who then do you say I am?" Peter answered, "The Messiah of God." Then Jesus spoke to them, giving them strict orders not to tell this to anyone.

And he added, "The Son of Man must suffer many things. He will be rejected by the elders and chief priests and teachers of the Law, and put to death. Then after three days he will be raised to life."

Commentary

"Who then do you say that I am?" Part of the pedagogy of a good teacher is to give examinations to his students. Jesus wanted to test the comprehension of his apostles. From the response of Peter, it seemed that the disciples were listening and comprehending the person of Jesus as the Christ. But later, it will become clear that they understood only in part. They wanted Jesus to be a glorious and victorious messiah but Jesus made it clear that the Son of Man will suffer and die. Jesus could not be separated from his cross, the very cross will be the way for his own glorification. The same fate awaits his disciples.

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