Rev. Fr. Michael ADEBOLA

 

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, happy Sunday to you. May we continue to live as true followers of Christ through Christ our Lord.

In the penny Catechism, the first two questions: "who made you?" and "why did God make you?" teach us that "God made us to Know him, love him and serve him in this world and to be forever happy with him in the next."  The book immediately suggests that our first obligation is to know God and love Him. This idea also surfaces in Deuteronomy chapter 6. In the gospel reading, Jesus asks his disciples: "who do people say I am?" and in a direct manner he asked the disciples again - "and you, who do you say I am?" Jesus must have asked these questions to know if His associates really understood His person and mission. After a long period of working and walking together and revealing the secrets of the Kingdom to them, it was timely to ask his disciples that question.

 Jesus Himself knew that the way other people perceived him was not accurate. They didn't understand His person, mission and the purpose of His mission. It was a human inadequacy in their judgement and perception of Him which was as a result of their corporeal limitations.

Sadly, it is a mistake many of us still make. Many are still ignorant of Jesus and the purpose of His mission. For some of the Ancient Israelites He was John the Baptist, to others He was Elijah or one of the Major prophets of old and some merely saw Him as a miracle worker and provider. The perception of the people about Jesus was shallow. Jesus is beyond the image of a prophet or a miracle worker. A prophet cannot save the world. When the disciples repeated the speculations of people about Jesus, He immediately turned to them and asked, outside these speculations - "who do you say I am?" Peter then spoke up - "you are the Christ, the son of the living God." (Matt 16)

Dear people of God, it is crucial to note and reiterate that the people that were giving speculative descriptions about the personality of Jesus were not so close to Him, unlike the disciples. The disciples enjoyed communion with Jesus. Though Peter was insightful with the help of the Holy Spirit, nevertheless, Jesus expected a well-informed answer from His associates because of their affinity with Him. Jesus once told them, "I do not call you servants any longer, I call you friends..." Jn 15:15

Dear friends, if you want to know more about God, get close to Him, walk with Him and work for Him. Spend time with Him in Meditation, Visit the Blessed Sacrament, Praying with the Scripture (Lectio Divina) and embarking on retreats. Remember, according to St. Jerome, in his prologue to the commentary on Isaiah, "ignorance of the scriptures is ignorance of Christ."

Dear friends in Christ, at this juncture, let us introspect and answer Christ's fundamental question - "who do you say I am?" Peter made his truest confession and it was accurate. What about us? We must know that our perception of Jesus should never arise from a selfish and utilitarian mindset where we reduce Jesus to only an aspect of His person that is convenient. Peter's confession remains ideal and definitive, and Jesus the great teacher acknowledged that Spirit-filled answer - "You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church."

Dear friends, the Catholic Church is firmly established on truth, justice, firmness and the right course. The Catholic Church established by Christ is known for speaking the truth and standing for justice. This was recently exemplified by our Catholic Bishops who courageously demonstrated what true Christianity entails- speaking the truth. Gladly, that's the mission of Christ and to propagate that mission, we must be familiar with the Master.

The Church built on Peter is God's lasting sign of fidelity and presence on earth. The Catholic Church is God's gift to the world. Consider yourself blessed to be part of the Church. God's grace and love has brought us together to experience the beauty of the Church.

However, what we shall make out of the Church as members, to the greater glory of God and for the sanctification of man, ought to be our gift back to God. The danger here is, not knowing the one who has gathered us as members of his Church and the mission for which he has set us apart.

Dear friends, it is pertinent to recognize Christ, the Son of the living God as the head of the Church and we must see ourselves as the body of Christ (Corpus Christi) and the Bride. This is the loving wisdom of God that our second reading presents. "The depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God." (Rms 11:33)

My dear people of God, the challenging question of Jesus stares at us daily. It challenges us to spend valuable time with Him and know Him better.

In our society, there seems to be shallow interest in the person of Christ and a deviation from His mission which manifests itself in many negative ways.  The lure of worldly frivolities and pleasure, the crave for power and positions and the chronic search for money are rapidly blindfolding people and misleading them away from Christ. The Church must never fall victim, the Church must always recognize her Lord at the breaking of the bread and the celebration of sacraments; she must continue to proclaim the gospel of truth and salvation and advocate for justice in the world. Like Peter in the gospel today, we must confess and proclaim that Jesus is the anointed one of God, the Son of the living God.

Prayer: Lord, keep your Church firm and faithful to your teachings and may she continue to abide in your love through Christ our Lord. Amen