In our Gospel today we hear the ultimate question, both for those who were there when it was asked, and for us all these centuries later – “Who do you say that I am?”. This question is one that we have all grappled with as we have yearned to grow in faith and is the single most important declaration we can make once we have come to terms with our answer. When we affirm, like Peter, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, everything changes because we are no longer under the weight of the law and have a savior who lifts us up so that our burden is taken upon His own shoulders.
When Peter affirmed that Jesus was the Christ, he became the rock upon which God would build His Church in this world. He would lead, and be the first Pope, and have the power to make decisions that would be bound or loosed both on earth and in heaven. This was an awesome responsibility for a simple fisherman from Galilea, but one that was possible because Jesus chose and empowered him to do so. It was not through Peters force of will, or personal attributes that this could be accomplished, it was because of Peters professed faith and reliance upon Him who can do all things. What is more, this did not end with Peter, it is very clear from the writings of the early Church that his successors were accepted by the people because they understood our Lords intent – to not leave them without a shepherd here on earth, and it is still the case today.
For each of us who call Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, and freely profess that He is God, we echo the fulfillment of belief that our Lord heard from Peter. We may not be perfect, but we are indeed saved in the sense that our Lord finds us to be His followers. Human beings, including Popes, are not perfect people, we struggle, we sometimes fail, but we have faith in the one who gave up His life for us, and so we have reason to rejoice that we are loved despite our imperfections. No matter where we go, not matter who else in our lives may ignore, reject, or otherwise cause us pain, we can count on the one who took all our pains upon Himself and loves us always.
The Deacons Bench 