21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A - 27/8/2023 - Gospel: Mt 16: 13-20
Heavenly Wisdom
People have various opinions of Jesus, 'some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets'. Jesus asked his own disciples: Who do they say their Master is? The apostles should have known him better than the rest because they have been with him always in his public ministry. Peter, on behalf of the group answers,
'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God'.
Jesus told him that,
'It was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven'.
We have here earthly wisdom and heavenly wisdom. Human wisdom comes from humans. It is the work of a mind and it is not hard to know. The work of the mind is understandable; because it is within the sphere of human knowledge. All human knowledge arises from observation. We may all observe the same thing, but we make different conclusions. It is not wrong to say that all human perception contains hidden errors caused by one's frame of reference and imperfect observation. Our eyes have no problem capturing a whole picture, but we often fail to see the detail. Most of the time, it is the detail that makes things differ from each other. This observation is illustrated in the way the way in which people have encountered Jesus in his public teaching. They all heard of him, all enjoyed his miracles, and yet all failed to see his true identity.
Heavenly wisdom is not something one can gain from human observation or perception. It is a special gift God is given to those God chooses to reveal to. Jesus told Peter when he confessed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Peter's opinion about Jesus comes not from observation or witnessing his miracles, but rather it is a special grace God the Father gives him. God's Spirit works in him and yet he may not recognize it. Peter himself probably didn't know that what he said about Jesus was heavenly wisdom, or that was given to him by the Father.
Jesus poses the question for a specific purpose and that purpose was hidden from the disciples. Jesus probably has wondered for some time whether would Peter be the right candidate for the leader of the group when he is not around. Jesus wants an affirmation from the Father, that his opinion about Peter would be aligned to the Father. Peter's answer confirms that Peter is the chosen one. The Father has chosen him, and it is evident in his public confession, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Hearing what Peter has said, Jesus has no doubt; but affirms him the twofold offices: Group leader and Head of his future Church on earth. Jesus also tells Peter that the Church he leads would not avoid challenges from the power of darkness. It may cause the Church to shake, but not break. Jesus affirms to Peter that despite all adversaries, the Church continues to stand firm because it is built on the rock. It is the Rock that Peter and his successors would draw strength from: Christ himself, who has defeated the power of darkness manifested through death. Jesus has risen from death and gives eternal life to those who follow his way.
Like Jesus, the Church is the pilgrim Church, and on her way, she will meet the power of darkness which is hidden in earthly wisdom. But remember:
'The gates of the underworld can never hold out against it'.
It is the great hope we all embrace.
'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God'.
Jesus told him that,
'It was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven'.
We have here earthly wisdom and heavenly wisdom. Human wisdom comes from humans. It is the work of a mind and it is not hard to know. The work of the mind is understandable; because it is within the sphere of human knowledge. All human knowledge arises from observation. We may all observe the same thing, but we make different conclusions. It is not wrong to say that all human perception contains hidden errors caused by one's frame of reference and imperfect observation. Our eyes have no problem capturing a whole picture, but we often fail to see the detail. Most of the time, it is the detail that makes things differ from each other. This observation is illustrated in the way the way in which people have encountered Jesus in his public teaching. They all heard of him, all enjoyed his miracles, and yet all failed to see his true identity.
Heavenly wisdom is not something one can gain from human observation or perception. It is a special gift God is given to those God chooses to reveal to. Jesus told Peter when he confessed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Peter's opinion about Jesus comes not from observation or witnessing his miracles, but rather it is a special grace God the Father gives him. God's Spirit works in him and yet he may not recognize it. Peter himself probably didn't know that what he said about Jesus was heavenly wisdom, or that was given to him by the Father.
Jesus poses the question for a specific purpose and that purpose was hidden from the disciples. Jesus probably has wondered for some time whether would Peter be the right candidate for the leader of the group when he is not around. Jesus wants an affirmation from the Father, that his opinion about Peter would be aligned to the Father. Peter's answer confirms that Peter is the chosen one. The Father has chosen him, and it is evident in his public confession, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Hearing what Peter has said, Jesus has no doubt; but affirms him the twofold offices: Group leader and Head of his future Church on earth. Jesus also tells Peter that the Church he leads would not avoid challenges from the power of darkness. It may cause the Church to shake, but not break. Jesus affirms to Peter that despite all adversaries, the Church continues to stand firm because it is built on the rock. It is the Rock that Peter and his successors would draw strength from: Christ himself, who has defeated the power of darkness manifested through death. Jesus has risen from death and gives eternal life to those who follow his way.
Like Jesus, the Church is the pilgrim Church, and on her way, she will meet the power of darkness which is hidden in earthly wisdom. But remember:
'The gates of the underworld can never hold out against it'.
It is the great hope we all embrace.
Written by Fr Vũđình Tường
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia
