I am intrigued by Jesus asking the Apostles who the people in general thought he was and then directing the same question to the Apostles themselves. I think that many of us would be hesitant to do this to those close to us. This is because we can be uncertain about ourselves or even worse have such a negative self assessment that we are afraid to ask others of their honest opinions. I can't stand it when I am asked to do a personal appraisal. Yet, we know from elsewhere in the Scriptures that Jesus had, from the beginning a strong sense of self. As a young man he said to his parents: "Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house." (Lk 2: 49) That said the demons also knew who he was (Mk 1: 24). The reason for Jesus asking the Apostles was not for his benefit or information but for theirs. Jesus had recently multiplied the loaves and the fishes for five thousand people. He was shortly to ascend the Mount of Transfiguration and reveal that as the Messiah he must suffer at the hands of the authorities. All of this would radically challenge the pre-conceived ideas that the Apostles had regarding the nature and mission of the Messiah and subsequently for their own roles in the "Jesus Movement." As the baptised we are part of the Jesus Movement in 2016. Who we say Jesus is will also have a great impact on how we live our lives and indeed the life to come. Perhaps, today's gospel is also for our benefit and information. Like Peter we too are prompted to respond in faith by saying that Jesus is: "The Messiah of God". (Lk 9: 21)
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