21st Sunday, August 24, 2008
 
            Today’s gospel presents a very significant scene—or at least part of one.  We hear Peter’s profession of faith and his commission as the rock.  We have to wait until next week for the rest of this story, when Peter rejects the idea of a suffering messiah and is called a stumbling block.
 
            The symbol of the key holds together our Old Testament and gospel readings.  The conferring of the keys is a clear statement of a position of leadership and authority.  As we listen to the gospel, we must remember its post-resurrection perspective, which first shaped how Mark wrote his gospel.  Then Matthew revised Mark and added his own material, including here the depth of Peter’s insight and his role in the early community.  This proclamation and revision are signs of the early communities searching to share and live their faith in the risen Jesus.
 
            Our brief excerpt from Paul’s letter to the Romans gives a hymn to the merciful wisdom of God, marking the conclusion of Paul’s reflections on salvation for Jew and Gentile.
 
            Let’s listen to God’s word!

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            I’d like to suggest two meditations in response to today’s word.  Clearly they may spill over into the week ahead.
 
            “Who do you say that I am?”  Jesus’ question can lead us to a profound and perhaps challenging reflection.  Many answers to this question are offered in our Scriptures.  We have heard them.  We have been taught them.  We have repeated them.  Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of Man, the Son of David, the Son of God, the Good Shepherd, the Bread of Life.  The list goes on.
 
            One response that touches me deeply comes from Scripture, but in revised form.  Karl Rahner answers Jesus question this way: Jesus, you are the abbreviated Word of God.  Always aware of God’s transcendence, of God as Holy Mystery, Rahner finds glimpses of God in Jesus—forgiveness, nonviolence, love.  But Ultimate Reality is more than we humans can take in.  So God’s revelation in Jesus must be limited or abbreviated, shaped and fit for us humans.
 
            And you?  Of all the answers you have heard and repeated, is any one of them really yours?  Enter into the conversation with Jesus.  Listen to his question again, for the first time.  How will you respond?
 
            For the second meditation, continue the conversation with Jesus.  This time, return the favor and ask Jesus, “And who do you say that I am?” Listen attentively for his response.