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“St. John Vianney”
Artist and Date are UNKNOWN |
Commentary:
Reading 1: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Commentary on Jer 31:31-34
This passage is called by scripture scholars “Jeremiah’s Spiritual Testament.”[4] In his announcement of the “New Covenant,” he condenses his entire message into these few words. While in his day, he is speaking to the returning exiles about the re-establishment of the relationship with God, it can also be seen as predictive of the messianic covenant. This is especially clear given the language in the final verse regarding forgiveness: “All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the Lord, for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more.”
CCC: Jer 31 1611; Jer 31:31-34 64, 715, 762, 1965; Jer 31:33 368, 580, 2713
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19
R. (12a) Create a clean heart in me, O God.
Commentary on Ps 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19
Psalm 51 is the fourth and most famous of the penitential psalms. The psalmist sings, in these verses, that only God can reverse the awful effects of sin. Through this action, taken by the Holy Spirit, God’s salvation is made manifest in the repentant and contrite heart. We are also reminded of Baptism, and the purifying effect of that bath.
CCC: Ps 51:12 298, 431; Ps 51:19 1428, 2100
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Gospel: Matthew 16:13-23
Commentary on Mt 16:13-23
St. Matthew’s story of how Jesus asked about what people were saying about him has a profound impact on the Church. Here, when challenged by Jesus with the question: “But who do you say that I am?” Simon answers: “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” The second title is not present in St. Mark’s version of this encounter. It adds an understanding that Jesus is not just the Messiah, but also the Son of God.
Given this response, Jesus confers upon Simon a new name, “Kephas,” which comes from the root Aramaic word Kepa or “Rock.” When translated into Greek it came out Petros and from there to Peter. The name, however, becomes the foundation for the Church, and Peter, as a consequence of this exchange, is given Christ’s authority that is passed down through Papal Succession to our pontiff today.
The passage continues with Jesus’ explanation of his coming passion. Jesus, using the title “Son of Man” (see Daniel 7:13-14), foresees his trials and passion. This frightens the disciples and probably confuses many of the entourage (remember, there were more than just the twelve following Jesus around), and Peter confronts him, asking him to take a different approach to what he tells his students. Seeing this request as an invitation to take an easier, less dangerous path, Jesus rebukes Peter.
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Homily:
We ask a simple question today: How does one person get to know another? It sounds simple, but as many counselors will tell you, most people, even in committed relationships, do not know the other person in that relationship deeply. The reason for this is that most of us find it easier to talk about ourselves, our desires, our dislikes, and our experiences rather than listen to another person speak about themselves.
Think for a moment about the last time you met someone new. After you had exchanged a few pleasantries, what did you talk about? Perhaps you talked about a common interest, or the state of the weather, the nation, or the activity you shared. In the end, did you really know that person? Probably not, it takes a long time to get to know someone, and even when you have taken the time to really dig deeply into a person’s life, in the time you spend doing so, you change, or they change, and the relationship is altered.
It is the same with getting to know the Lord. Perhaps it is even more difficult, because until there is a very personal relationship, we may think of Jesus as abstract, like an object embodied in the crucifix, not like a real person with whom you walk in life. Getting to know Jesus requires the same level of commitment we expend in our other relationships, with our families and closest friends. The Lord asks St. Peter in the Gospel: “But who do you say that I am?” That same question is asked of us who claim to be Christian, followers of Jesus.
If we do not know him, his likes, his dislikes, his desires, how can we enjoy his company, or he ours? If we consider him only as some abstract force of nature with no personality, no corporeal existence, how can he touch us? Jeremiah said in the first reading: “All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the Lord, for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more.”
Our challenge today is to ask ourselves what we know of Jesus, and who do we say he is. If we cannot answer, we need to get to know him. We need to sit down with his Word and speak with him in prayer, and above all, we must spend time with him in the person of the Blessed Sacrament we now share.
Pax
[2] The picture is “St. John Vianney” Artist and Date are UNKNOWN
[4] See Jerome Biblical Commentary, Prentice Hall, Inc., © 1968, pp.327, 89.
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