XXI Sunday in Ordinary

Last Sunday, the faith of the Canaanite woman served as a stimulus for us and became an example of persevering prayer. She recognized Jesus not only as the Son of David, mighty and merciful, but also as Lord, whose kindness extends beyond the borders of Israel. Today, we encounter the Prince of the Apostles, Peter, who confesses that Jesus is the “Christ, the Son of the living God.” This confession is also the confession of the universal Church. The persevering faith of the Canaanite woman, together with Peter’s revelation, is vital to our intimate relationship with Christ, our Redeemer.

Where and how did Peter come to know the identity of the only-begotten Son? The heavenly Father reveals his Son to Peter at Caesarea Philippi. This place was developed by Philip, one of the sons of Herod the Great, and was named Caesarea Philippi in honor of Caesar Augustus. Before this, Herod the Great had dedicated a temple there to Augustus, the Roman emperor. Caesarea Philippi was therefore a center of pagan worship (Greek and Roman idols).

Yet, in his wisdom, God the Father, whose judgments are unsearchable and whose ways are inscrutable (Romans 11:33), chose precisely this place to reveal his Son. He wanted his disciples to understand that it is neither Roman emperors nor pagan idols who rule the world, but the Son of the living God.

Jesus asks his disciples: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They answer that some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. But then Jesus makes the question personal: “But who do you say that I am?”

Can we truly know God if he does not reveal himself to us? Jesus tells us: “No one knows the Son except the Father” (Matthew 11:27). Simon Peter was able to confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, because the Father himself has revealed this truth to him.

The word Christ comes from the Greek Christos, corresponding to the Hebrew Mashiah, and means “anointed one.” Christ is the One whom the Father has anointed with the power of the Holy Spirit and sent to save all nations. He is the descendant of David, the King whose kingdom is a kingdom of peace, love, service, and life. He is the Anointed One who comes to free humanity from sin and death.

The Son of the living God: the merciful Father reveals to Peter the identity of his Son, whose mission is to reveal the Father's salvation to both Jews and Gentiles and to redeem the whole human family. He is man and God.

After Peter’s confession, Jesus gives Simon a new name: Peter, meaning “rock.” Jesus declares: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.” The Church is built upon the rock of Peter’s faith and confession. This is the first time in the Gospel of Matthew that Jesus explicitly speaks of the Church.

The Greek word ekklesia means an assembly or gathering, corresponding to the Hebrew qahal, which also refers to the assembly of God's people (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:18; Deuteronomy 4:10; 23; 31:30; Joshua 8:35). The Church belongs to Christ. Its origin is divine. Christ is the Head, and the Church is his Body. We cannot separate the Body from its Head. And because the Church is not merely a human institution but a work of God, “the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” The Holy Spirit gives the Church life and preserves her in the truth.

Peter is not only the rock upon which Christ builds his Church; he also receives the authority to bind and loose, both on earth and in heaven. Jesus gives him the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, a symbol of authority, responsibility, and trust.

The keys are not given to Peter for his own glory. They are entrusted to him so that he may serve the people whom Christ redeemed by his blood. He receives the responsibility to teach, govern, guide, heal, serve, and shepherd the flock entrusted to him. He is called to protect the interests of God's people.

We see a similar image in today's first reading, where God places the key of the House of David upon the shoulder of Eliakim. The key represents authority entrusted to someone who can be trusted to care for the people and seek their good. In the same way, Peter receives authority not as domination, but as a ministry of service. Peter affirms:

Give a shepherd's care to the flock of God that is entrusted to you: watch over it, not simply as a duty but gladly, as God wants; not for sordid money, but because you are eager to do it. Do not lord it over the group, which is in your charge, but be an example for the flock. When the chief shepherd appears, you will be given the unfading crown of glory (1 Peter 5: 2-4)

Today, we also conclude the great chapter 11 of the Letter to the Romans. Saint Paul reflects on the restoration of the chosen people, the grafting of the Gentiles into God's people, and the mysterious wisdom of God. His reflection finally culminates in a solemn doxology, an expression of praise and glorification of God:

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!”

A doxology is a prayer of glorification and praise of God. The word comes from the Greek doxa, meaning “glory,” and logos, meaning “word” or “expression.” In the Mass, the Eucharistic Prayer concludes with the great doxology: “Through him, and with him, and in him…” This is the concluding praise and glorification of God at the heart of the Eucharistic celebration, and the people ratify it with the (Great) Amen.

The Gospel therefore invites us to ask ourselves: Who is Jesus for me? 

On the day of our Baptism, we were anointed and became Christians. We were grafted onto Christ, the true vine, and incorporated into his Body, the Church. Therefore, our Christian identity is not merely a name; it is a vocation. We are called to bear fruits of love, peace, mercy, and hope, and to continue making disciples for Christ (cf. Acts 11:25–27).

Sometimes, we forget who we are. We forget the dignity of the name we received at Baptism. But Christian is a beautiful name because it means that we belong to Christ.

Saint Cecilia is traditionally remembered as saying, when asked her name: “Among men I am known by the name of Cecilia, but my noblest name is Christian.”

Today, let us remember our noblest name. Before all the titles, accomplishments, positions, and identities that the world can give us, we are Christians. We belong to Christ. And like Peter, we are called to proclaim with our whole life:

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”