Gospel
Luke 9:18-22
Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.” He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone. He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”
Sermon
My brothers and sisters in Christ, today's Gospel presents Jesus asking two pivotal questions:
1. Who do others say I am?
2. Who do you say I am?
The disciples' responses reveal the conflicting views surrounding Jesus' identity:
- John the Baptist
- Elijah
- An ancient prophet
But Peter's answer stands out:
"The Christ of God."
Jesus' reaction is unexpected:
- He rebukes them
- Directs them to silence
Why? Because Jesus' true identity is inseparable from His mission:
- Suffering
- Rejection
- Death
- Resurrection
This passage challenges us:
1. To clarify our own understanding of Jesus
2. To recognize the cost of discipleship
3. To embrace the paradox of the cross
As followers of Christ, we must:
- Move beyond superficial perceptions
- Embrace the depth of Jesus' sacrifice
- Share in His sufferings
The cross is:
- The ultimate expression of God's love
- The source of our salvation
- The blueprint for our discipleship
May we, like Peter, confess Jesus as the Christ of God, and courageously follow Him on the path of sacrifice and redemption.
May we boldly confess Jesus as the Christ of God, embracing the power of the cross in our lives. Amen.
Prayer
Let us pray: + In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Almighty, merciful, and loving God, we pray for clarity in understanding Jesus' identity as the Christ of God.
Give us courage to confess Him as Lord, embracing the depth of His sacrifice and the power of the cross.
Guide us in recognizing the cost of discipleship and sharing in Jesus' sufferings.
May we move beyond superficial perceptions, grasping the ultimate expression of your love.
Thank you for the gift of salvation through Jesus' resurrection.
We pray for:
- Clarity in understanding Jesus' identity
- Courage to confess Him as Lord
- Guidance in embracing the cross
- Perseverance in discipleship
- Opportunities to share our testimony
May God empower us to boldly confess Jesus as the Christ of God, embracing the power of the cross in our lives.
In Jesus' most holy name, Amen.
Prayer for Discipleship:
Lord, help me to follow You courageously, embracing the sacrifices and challenges of discipleship.
Grant me wisdom to understand Your identity and mission.
May my life reflect Your love and redemption. Amen.
Peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you,
Rev. Fr. Jhimerson Maneclang,SCJ