Gospel Delights!

Sunday, August 27, 2023

21^st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Is 22:19-23; Rom 11:33-36; Mt 16:18

As we celebrate the 21^st Sunday, we are invited to develop an appreciation for and understanding of the Divine Wisdom and in the process, make the spiritual journey personal. 

The first reading offers a promise of reward for Eliakim’s faithfulness to God. Shebna’s unfaithful attitude and behaviour are condemned and God will deprive Shebna of everything that he has been privileged with hitherto. Also, the theme of the first reading connects us to the gospel. Just as the faithful Eliakim will be given the keys to the palace – a symbol of authority, Peter will be given the keys to the Kingdom. Jesus confers the leadership of the Church on Peter. The second reading from Romans invites us to a sense of wonder at Divine Wisdom and Knowledge. Though Divine Wisdom is too profound to be exhausted for mortals, with Divine Assistance, Revelations can occur just as it happened to St. Peter, leading to his wonderful confession about Jesus. 

The breakdown of the gospel hints at a couple of important requirements for Christians. 

1. The Capacity to Understand: Following Jesus should happen out of conviction. Understanding helps the development of conviction. Jesus chooses to pose the question (‘Who do people say that I am’) at a strategic place. Caesarea Philippi was the religious center for worship of the Greek god, Pan. Jesus positioned his disciples there in a way prodding them, ‘In the face of these gods, who do people say that I am?’ Hence, the question is aimed not just at the disciples’ understanding of Jesus by way of information but also required them to contrast him with other gods. Jesus gives his disciples an opportunity to voice out their perspectives about his identity and their convictions in him.

2. The Capacity to Personalize: The second question of Jesus (‘Who do you say that I am’) assumes a very personal tone. Now, the question transcends the realm of knowledge to integration. It is as if Jesus is asking: ‘knowledge about me is not enough; how have you personalized the information you have about me?’ Hence, our ability to personalize our faith and exhibit it in committed actions are highly significant for our faith journey.