Not Flesh and Blood -- Missionary Commentary for Sunday, August 27

Readings for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 22:19-23
Psalm 138:1-2a, 2b-3, 6+8
Romans 11:33-36
Matthew 16:13-20

USCCB link to the Sunday Readings

Download a shareable .pdf


Put yourself in Peter’s shoes. 

He is known as Simon son of Jonah. He is a fisherman and married. As a disciple, he accompanies Jesus on his travels throughout Galilee. He witnesses many healings, feeding the multitudes, and the calming of the sea. He learns about the Kingdom of God. Now, near Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asks a piercing question – “who do you say I am?”

Simon responds, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Where does Simon’s response come from? Jesus himself gives the answer, “flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.” God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, reveals to Simon that Jesus is both the Messiah and “the Son of the Living God.”

If this happened to us, would we wonder when and how the Father revealed this to us? Would it have been during an idyllic hike through the woods? More likely it would be during the hustle and bustle of Jesus’s mission, accompanying the other disciples, dealing with the crowds, and slowly, in those moments of prayer and reflection, glimpsing the impossible in this man that is always walking ahead of us? 

Our profession of faith is the bedrock of the Church. That profession transformed Simon into Peter, the Vicar of Christ, the servant of the servants of God. It transforms us into Church – a community of believers that withstands the forces of evil. When we are at our best, we hold with humility and awe the keys of the kingdom – a kingdom of love, salvation, and justice – and we bind, and are bound, we free, and are freed, to proclaim, witness and serve the God’s reign.
 

Notes on the Sunday Readings

First Reading
The reading from Isaiah, when Eliakim replaces Shebna as “master of the palace,” with the “key to the House of David,” with the authority to open and to shut, foreshadows the “keys of the Kingdom” given to Peter.


Psalm
The psalmist extols the kindness and truth of the Lord who “heard the words of my mouth,” and answered him. We respond with thanksgiving, songs of praise, and worship.

Second Reading
Saint Paul teaches us that “all things” are from God, through him, and for him. No one exhausts the depth of his riches, wisdom, or knowledge. Can anyone correct his judgements or improve on “his ways.”

Gospel
Jesus and his disciples are on mission to the towns of Galilee when they reach Caesarea Philippi. He asks, “who do people say that the Son of Man is?” John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets they respond. Then Jesus asks them, “who do you say that I am?” Simon responds, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Simon is blessed! The Father revealed this truth to him, not “flesh and blood.” Jesus changes Simon’s name to Peter, promises to build his church on his profession of faith, and gives Peter the keys of the kingdom to bind and loose.