the e-Testament
Matthew 16: 13-20
When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”
He pressed them, “And how about you? Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter said, “You’re the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus came back, “God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn’t get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I’m going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.
“And that’s not all. You will have complete and free access to God’s kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven.”
He swore the disciples to secrecy. He made them promise they would tell no one that he was the Messiah.
Reflection
Who is Jesus? To me, What and Who is he? I ask myself this a lot and I each time I always come up with a different answer.
Sometimes he is a source of inspiration and determination to get through tough times. Other times he is there to comfort me and just help me coast through a difficult period. Or he is someone I can share my success and achievements. One thing that is consistent, is that he is always there. He is always with us no matter what we’re going through.
We may only look for him when things aren’t going well, but he is walking our journey through life with us. In the good and the bad.
Jonny Dearden
Salesian Youth Ministry Volunteer
Prayer
May we find solace in the knowledge that you, Jesus, are walking with us through our lives.
May we celebrate our success with you and may you give us the strength to fix the problems in our lives.
May we find comfort in your path, and find the true way into your kingdom.
And may we find our true meaning, safe in the knowledge that you’re there to guide us on the way.
Amen