Jesus' Understanding of Christ and Peter's Understanding of Christ

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Twenty Third Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Mk 8:27-35*

*First Reading : Is 50:5-9a*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 116:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9*

*Second Reading - Jas 2:14-18*

*Jesus' Understanding of Christ and Peter's Understanding of Christ*

*1) Crucial Question*

In today's Gospel we find one of the crucial questions about the identity of Jesus 

Jesus asks this question to His Disciples 

*“Who do people say that I am?”*

*“But who do you say that I am?”*

Both these questions were answered by the Disciples. To the second Question Peter gives the following answer *“You are the Christ.”*

Jesus appreciated Peter for this answer

*2) Peter's understanding of Christ*

Though Jesus appreciated Peter for his reply, Peter's understanding about Jesus was one of Royal Jesus 

Jesus who will, build his kingdom, Jesus who will be the king, Jesus who will reign and all the disciples will have key posts in His Kingdom 

The idea of Peter almost goes along with the idea of the political Messiah, whom Jews and other people were waiting for

*3) Jesus' understanding of Christ*

In the Second part of the Gospel, Jesus gives the real identity of Himself 

Christ is the one who will Who will suffer a lot while establishing the Kingdom of God here on earth 

Christ is the one who will be rejected by his own people because, he will not meet their expectations or He will challenge them 

Christ is the one who will be killed by the scribes and Pharisees, supported by his own people in a violent way for the sake of justice and for the liberation of the souls 

Christ is the one who will be buried and will be raised by the Father on the third day, to conquer the evil and death 

One who wants to follow Jesus must go through this way of life 

This is the real identity of Jesus 

*4) Peter's unwillingness to Accept Christ*

When Jesus revealed his real identity, Peter was not ready to accept such a challenging Christ 

That why Peter rebuked Jesus saying *Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”*

So Peter didn't want a Christ who will suffer and die on the Cross

Peter's unwillingness to accept a suffering Christ shows that his understanding of Christ was quite different from that of suffering Christ, as explained by Jesus 

*5) The consequences of Peter's attitude*

When Peter showed the unwillingness to accept the suffering Christ Jesus tells him *“Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”*

Jesus does not subscribe to the idea of Peter, who wants to avoid the sufferings and challenges and wants only glorious things 

Such an approach has no place in the kingdom of Jesus 

*6) How about my Approach?*

Two approaches are very clear 

The approach of Jesus which involves Cross and the way of the Cross, which is challenging but sure of reaching the goal and having victory

The approach of Peter, which avoids all challenges and the Cross itself, which may not achieve the goal of our life, appears to be colour and easy 

Which Jesus I would like to follow? 

What is the understanding of Jesus I have? 

Am I ready to accept the Crucified Christ? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*