IT IS THE HEART THAT COUNTS … NOT THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Re next Sunday’s Gospel Text, I would like to concentrate on the answer given by Peter, on behalf of all the Apostles, to the question put to them by Christ. The question was: “Who do you say I am?”

As we read Peter answered: “You are the Messiah of God.” Yes, Christ accepted that answer, for He did not deny it, but note, He forbade them to spread that fresh news; the fact that He was the ‘Messiah of God’. But why? That is a billion dollar question.

Yes, Peter was perfectly correct in that answer, BUT, what he, and the rest of the Apostles, actually meant by Messiah, did not tally, agree with God’s plan. God’s idea of a promised Messiah was not the same type of messiah Peter and friends, and the Jewish people, had in mind. Peter and friends, are marking time, according to their Master, the time will soon be ripe, the messiah will soon be here … and that was excellent news, for them and all the Jewish Nation.

Very soon they will be taking up arms; swords, clubs, torches or whatever comes to their hands to sweep clean Israel from the hated foreigners, from the Romans, irrespective of the blood that will be shed. The Jews will be the victors. Their dream will soon come true, led by their conquering messiah. ‘How we wish our fathers and grandfathers were still living to share in this glory at long last.’ I suppose this was the common, the general thought going through their heads.

BUT, this is not the promised Messiah as planned from all eternity by God for the salvation of all Israel and all humanity. How correct Jesus was to forbid them to say anything to others about His identity. They had to wait for those terrible days when the ‘Greatest Tragedy’ in the History of humanity, took place, and the subsequent Resurrection of the true Messiah from the death. It is only then, that they will see the light, Peter will understand the meaning of his answer: “You are the Messiah of God.” It is only then, that they will be given, rather feel, that they can spread the word around, round the four corners of the world.

This is done later on in the Gospel, Christ showed His true Mission: “The Son of Man must suffer many things. He will be rejected by the elders and chief priests and be put to death. Then after three days he will be raised to life.”

God reveals His greatness and His love by sending His only Son to suffer and die, yet He respects the freedom of people, whilst not hindering them when they make mistakes, but making use of their own sin to construct His story of salvation. Believing in Him does not mean to declare one’s own commitment to a set of truth learned from the catechism, but to follow Him, share his fate: “If you wish to be a follower of Mine, deny yourself and take up your cross each day, and follow Me.”

The disciples, we, who intend to follow in His footsteps cannot expect applause, consents, approval of people, but must be prepared to face opposition and the cross.