21^st Sunday, Year A: Homily by Fr. Isaac Chima

Theme: Who Is Jesus to You Personally?

Readings: Is. 22:19-23; Rm. 11:33-36; Mt. 16:13-20

The Gospel of this Sunday poses this decisive question to every disciple of Jesus: “And you—who do you say the Son of Man is?” In essence, Jesus asks each of us: Who am I to you personally? Although Jesus addressed this question to the disciples in the district of Caesarea Philippi, the Church invites every Christian today to search his or her heart and give a personal answer.

Jesus’ choice of Caesarea Philippi—a region near Mount Hermon, at the boundary of the Gentile world, where the temple of Caesar stood—to pose this question to His disciples was deliberate and significant. In earlier times, this place was known for the worship of many pagan gods, including Baal and Pan. Standing in a location filled with symbols of worldly power and false deities, Jesus asked His disciples who the people said He was, and more importantly, who He was to them. It was as though He said to them, “You have heard what others say about me. You have seen my works and listened to my teachings. You see the gods of the pagan world around you. Now, who am I to you? You must make a choice.”

This question is equally urgent in our own time, especially with the many perceptions people have about Jesus and the varied sentiments people hold about religion. Even within our churches, people relate to Jesus in different ways. To some, Jesus is only a miracle worker; hence, they seek Him only when they need a miracle, and once they receive it, they move on. To others, He is simply a healer, and they remember Him only when sickness strikes. Some see Him as a provider of material goods, and once they are comfortable, Jesus becomes unnecessary. Others approach Him as a warrior, who is invoked only to fight battles or destroy enemies; when the battles cease, He is forgotten. While these perceptions touch on real attributes of Jesus, the Church calls us to a deeper and more mature acknowledgement of who He truly is.

The question “Who is Jesus?” can be answered satisfactorily only when someone has a personal relationship with Him—an encounter that transforms the heart. Peter’s confession—“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”—and Jesus’ response to him show that true knowledge of Jesus comes from personal experience and divine revelation. A genuine relationship with Jesus reveals that He is not only a healer, provider, warrior, or miracle worker but also our Lord and Saviour, who desires to save our souls from eternal loss.

A life of prayer, adoration, study of the Word of God, and frequent reception of the Eucharist draws us into this personal relationship. The Church, therefore, urges us to take our spiritual lives seriously if we truly desire to know Jesus as He is.

In the second reading, St Paul acknowledges the greatness of God after his own profound encounter with Christ. Likewise, the psalmist proclaims who God is with deep conviction. These testimonies remind us that recognizing Jesus as Lord and Saviour shapes our entire lifestyle. It influences our choices and guides our actions so that our words and deeds do not contradict each other.

Peter’s acknowledgement of Jesus shaped his life so deeply that he carried out the mission entrusted to him—shepherding the Church—with fidelity to Christ’s will. This is a lesson for all who profess that Jesus is Lord: our proclamation must influence our decisions, actions, and public service. Whoever acknowledges Jesus as Lord cannot live in a way that contradicts His will.

The first reading presents a warning through the story of Shebna, a treasurer in the court of King Hezekiah. Instead of serving according to God’s will, pride and ambition led him to build a magnificent tomb for himself; he was more concerned about his body after death than about his soul. We see a similar attitude today, as many people spend large sums of money to secure beautiful burial places for their bodies and those of their family members, yet pay far less attention to the eternal destination of their souls.

Because of Shebna’s actions, he fell out of God’s favour and lost his position to Eliakim. His downfall teaches that public office is a sacred responsibility. Every opportunity to serve is an invitation to let our encounter with Christ shape our choices and actions. Public office must advance the values of God’s kingdom, not personal ambition or arrogance.

Peace be with you.

Rev. Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima

 21^ST SUNDAY, YEAR A: REFLECTION BY FR JULIAN EKEH

THEME: BE STRONG AND KNOW YOUR FAITH, THE ENEMY SHALL NOT PREVAIL

(Matthew 16:13-20)

The gospel of today started with an examination. Jesus was the examiner; the disciples were the candidates. Typical of every exam, some will pass while others will fail. Some will have a poor pass while others will pass excellently.

In the class of 12 only one student passed. His name is Peter.

The exam was on 'Christ knowledge'. Knowledge of Christ is not an intellectual knowledge. It is an exercise of faith. It goes beyond historical calculations, geographical accuracy, or philosophical and mathematical mastery. It does not even stop at theological versatility. It ventures into a one-on-one encounter that reveals the divine personality.

 

Faith of one and faithful of all

Peter didn't chorus with other apostles. He stepped out of group mentality to get hold with the real person of Christ. And he succeeded. The crowd may not always be right. That every person believes it or does it is never a good reason. Are you convinced about what you do? Are you as an individual in the know of why the Church does somethings some ways? You're a unique candidate when it has to do with faith. You're the target of Christ. He picks you from the crowd. He samples an opportunity for you to shine out. Be strong in faith and accept the faith challenge. You're many but you're one. You may be husband and wife but God looks at you both as an individual faith member and as a group of faithful couple. You may be a Christian among many Christians but you're a special Christian for Christ. He wants you to prove yourself one. To prove oneself you must be able to answer when called upon to give account of your faith. And by so doing you're sharing your faith in God. Is there any faith remaining at all in you?  You've got to allow the key of faith to operate in you.

 

The Key of faith

The key was a gift Peter received after his answer to Jesus. With this key he is empowered for teaching, empowered with the word of God, empowered to forgive sins, empowered to open the heavens, indeed empowered to bind and lose. This is amazing. We are empowered to come out of our condemnation because when the Son of man sets us free, we shall be free indeed. With this faith we are empowered to pray and call God Abba Father! With this faith we see and draw from the riches of the sacraments which are seeable and only admirable with the spiritual eyes.

For these great miracles to happen, it will not be flesh and blood that will guide us but the Spirit of the Father.

Life in the Spirit is an important key of faith. Let us not be alive in every other thing, active in things of the world and dead in the spirit. God forbid!

 

Faith never Fear

Faith attracts edification. Jesus promises to build on the little faith demonstrated by Peter. He makes Him the rock on which to build. With the encouragement He gives Peter, he assures us that with Him we shall be established. Let us know Him as our Lord and master. The word of God says I will save him because he knows my name. Let us learn to call upon that anointed name that anoints, that blesses, that forgives and heals. The name and person of Christ drives away every fear. Let us call upon Him with faith and not fear.

We are afraid of a lot of things threatening our faith. Jesus assures us that the gates of hades with never prevail against us. Just as the many forces that had plagued the Church for many years have not succeeded so will the enemy not prevail in bringing you down. Be strong in faith, the enemy will not bring down that your marriage, he will not destroy your joy, he will not take glory in your health issues, he will not take glory in your vocation crisis, he will not gloat over your failures.

Face life with strong belief in God, in who he is and what He can do. He can indeed do more than we can ever think of or imagine. He gives us the secret of a fulfilled life today, it is faith and knowledge of God.

He charged the apostles not to tell anyone about it. This is a way of telling you not to endanger your faith. Do not jeopardize your faith in God with bad company, sinful conversations, satanic practices, prayerlessness etc. 

As you persevere in your faithfulness and personal and communal bonding of yourself to Christ, the head of the Church, may no power of hell prevail over you and may doors of favours be opened unto you while every sin and evil is driven far away from you through Christ our Lord. Amen

Happy Sunday to you (21st Week, Ordinary Time, Year A)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh