12nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading I: Zechariah 12:10-11,13:1
II: Galatians 3:26-29
Gospel
Luke 9:18-24
18 Now it happened that as he was praying alone the disciples were with him; and he asked them, "Who do the people say that I am?"
19 And they answered, "John the Baptist; but others say, Eli'jah; and others, that one of the old prophets has risen."
20 And he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" And Peter answered, "The Christ of God."
21 But he charged and commanded them to tell this to no one,
22 saying, "The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised."
23 And he said to all, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
24 For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it.
Interesting Details
- At the beginning of this chapter (9:7-9) Herod was puzzled by the different opinions about Jesus,"who is this man of whom I hear such things?". Last week's passage - with the multiplication of loaves - was an obvious answer. Here Jesus Himself poses the question.
- (v.18) Only Luke mentioned that Jesus was at prayer to indicate that a theologically important event was about to occur.
- (vv.18-21) Right after this conversation with the disciples, Jesus predicted His passion. Eight days later He took Peter, James and John to the mountain and He was transfigured before their eyes. Matthew and Mark mentioned that the transfiguration happened six days after this conversation.
- Different from the other three Gospels, Luke did not specify the location of this event. Matthew and Mark retold the story which happened at Caesarea Philippi (Mt 16:13-23, Mk 8:27-33). Caesarea Philippi is about 20 miles north of the Sea of Galilee, on the southern slope of Mount Hermon. It was constructed by Herod Philip, son of Herod the Great, about 2 BC to commemorate the Emperor Augutus. It was an entirely Gentile community.
- (v.18) In general, the people of Israel did not know for certain who Jesus was, even when they wanted to elevate him to be King of Israel (Jn 6:14).
- (v.21) Christ is from the Greek word "christo", which means "messiah" in Hebrew. It means the "anointed one". This is the first time that one of Jesus' disciples used this term to refer to Jesus.
- (v.22) The Lord who gave food to the hungry (9:11-17) would also give His life for all.
- (v.23) Luke used the word "all" to indicate that Jesus' invitation to follow him is extended to everybody. In contrast to the invitation in 5:1-11 and
5:27-32, the daily cross is now the center. It symbolizes the commitment of Jesus to and the steadfast participation of those who follow him in the kingdom of God.
- (v.24) Only a deep commitment to Jesus can justify one to forsake his own life in the effort to bring about the kingdom of God.
One Main Point
Confessing that Jesus is the Messiah, Son of the living God is an important turning point for discipleship. Only with that grace that we can deny ourselves and carry our own apostolic cross. Jesus invites each one of us to carry the cross.
Reflections
- Write down the first thought that you have as an answer to this question: Perhaps you have recited so many times the Creed of the Apostles (or the Nicence Creed), for you who is Jesus?
- Right after the confession of Peter about Jesus, He predicted for the first time His passion, His death on the cross. Within this pretext, reflect on Jesus' mission and your own mission. Does your mission also follow the way of the cross as Jesus' did? As Jesus said to Peter that it was the grace of God the Father that revealed to him the true mission of Jesus, pray for the grace to discern your mission in the will of God the Father.
- Now, with a better concept about the mission of Jesus and yours, let us go back to the first question and re-examine your confession about Jesus. Listen to the words that Jesus reveals in your heart: who do you believe that I am? How would your heart answer to Jesus' invitation: Carry your cross and walk with me.
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A synthesis by the Vietnamese Christian Life (Dong Hanh) Community