Explication
Every day
Biblical commentaries
Jesus arrives in the region of Caesarea in pagan territory. Today’s pericope is an alert and questioning dialogue between Jesus and his disciples centered on his identity, which culminates in Peter’s confession of faith (vv. 13-16) then on Peter’s mission (vv. 17-19). Who is Jesus? For the disciples: the Son of Man of whom Daniel speaks in the Old Testament, a prophet whose coming Israel awaits. For Peter, Jesus is the Christ, that is to say the Messiah who will bring salvation, the Son, linked to God his Father by a unique relationship, the Son of the living God who gives life and resurrected Jesus. Jesus welcomes Peter’s words: Blessed is Peter to have received this free revelation from the Father. This is the foundation of his vocation: to live the promise of receiving the “keys of the Kingdom of heaven” and of building on Christ the new community that will be the Church. In turn, on this day of great joy, we are invited to confess our faith. Having listened to the responses of the people, little different from what the people around us say today, the question is asked of us: who is Christ today, in our life, in a world whose violence and wars can disturb our image of God? On this solemnity, the Church invites us to pray jointly to Peter and Paul, the foundation stones of the Church.
Other readings: Acts 12, 1-11; Psa 33 (34)
