Homily 21st Sunday Ordinary A
Today, we celebrate the Twenty-First Sunday in the Ordinary Time. And from today’s Gospel, I’ll focus on three main points.
1- My Frist Point is about the Double Question Jesus asks his Apostles
That double question is “General” and “Specific.” First of all, that question was general because Jesus wanted to know what people were thinking and saying about him. It was a kind of opinion poll conducted by the Lord Jesus himself: “Who do people say that I am?” Apparently, this general question seemed easy to answer because Jesus’ Apostles were very prolific in their answers: “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” As a matter of fact, what other people think and say is not so important to Jesus. In other words, Jesus doesn’t really care about public opinion. But, the most important to him is our personal answer and opinion. The most important to him is what you, parishioner of Saint Patrick of Placerville and Saint James of Georgetown, think and say. That’s why his second question is more specific: “But you, what do you say that I am? For you, who am I?” unfortunately, this time, the apostles were unable to answer. They lost their ability to speak. In French, we’ll say that “They lost their tongues.” And as well, in the Congolese languages, we’ll say that “The Apostles became ‘Baba’.” It shows that it is easier to criticize others and talk about others. But, it is more difficult to criticize one-self. In fact, that second question requires a personal engagement and determination; it requires us to give our own opinion. For today, Jesus says, “You my friend of Placerville and Georgetown, what do you think and say that I am? For You, who am I?” in France, there is a TV show on the Channel 2. The name of that TV show is “Question for a Champion.” It’s a quiz to test our general education and culture. So, l can say that, today, Jesus is asking us a Question for a Champion: “For you, who am I?” Perhaps like the Apostles, we can stack sometimes and we don’t know what to say; we lose our tongue and become “Baba”; we don’t know what to answer. That’s why we have to pray the Holy Spirit to help and inspire us. For sure, like he just helped Peter, the Holy Spirit of Wisdom and Science is the only one able to inspire us the good answer that will delight Jesus’ heart: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
2- My Second Point is about the Profession of Faith of Saint Peter
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” he said. Peter’s Profession of faith has three levels. First level: Peter’s profession of faith was a personal creed. His answer was a reflection of his personal vision about Jesus. He said what came from the bottom of his heart. He said what he believed to be true about Jesus. Second level: Peter’s profession of faith became the common faith of the apostolic community, the faith of the Twelve Apostles acknowledging that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God and Savior of the world. Third level: Peter’s profession of faith has become also the faith of the Holy Church, and our faith; the faith we profess today in communion of spirit and heart with the Holy Father, Pope Francis, who is the Successor of Saint Peter. In fact, at each mass, together with the Holy Church and the Pope, we profess and proclaim our faith saying, “I believe in One Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God born before all ages.” As Saint Augustine said, “Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” So the question is: and you, what do you believe?
3- My last point is about Jesus’ promise to make Peter the Rock of the foundation of his Church
As a reward to his right and perfect answer, Jesus tells Peter: “I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” That promise of the Lord was not an empty word; it was not a lie as human beings do. Jesus never lies. He fulfilled his promise even after Peter denied him three times in public during his holy passion. Christ chose to build his Church upon a rock that broke in time of temptation. In healing the broken and repentant shepherd, Christ demonstrated his desire and ability to forgive and mend all the weaknesses that beset and divide the flock even now. Peter is our sign of hope. If you travel to Rome to visit and pray in Saint Peter’s Basilica, you will see that above the sanctuary of Saint Peter’s Basilica, is written in huge lettering of gold mosaic, this promise of Jesus to his chief apostle: “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” And at St Peter’s Plazza, just close by the window where the Holy Father greets pilgrims and delivers messages to the faithful, there is a huge Statue of Saint Peter Apostle holding in his hands the keys of the kingdom of heaven. The question is: Why do you think Jesus chose Peter to make him the rock of his Church? In my answer, there are three aspects to consider. First, the choice of Peter was a choice of confidence, God who has confidence in the human being and entrusts him the keys of the house (kingdom of heaven) despite his weaknesses and sins. In our society, entrusting the key of your house to someone is a sign of confidence and trust. By giving Peter the keys of the kingdom, Jesus gave him the responsibility of taking care of the house and his sheep saying, “You are Peter, that is, inasmuch as I (Jesus) am the inviolable Rock, so likewise you are a rock, because you are strengthened by my strength, and the things that are mine by my own power are yours by participation with me.” Second, the choice of Peter was a choice able to transform, to transform the entire life of the human being. In the beginning, Peter as a fisherman could not imagine that one day he will become an outstanding preacher of the gospel able to catch men’s hearts. But, Jesus totally transformed his life to make him become a Champion of Evangelization. Third, the choice of Peter shows how God assures the Church of his everlasting presence to protect it and his children always. Jesus tells Peter and us today, “Don’t be afraid! You’re not alone. I am here with you forever. The gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against my Church.” In conclusion, I’ll say that Jesus remains at the center of our lives, as the Christ, Son of the Living God. And he continues to be the Church’s Rock. The Church stands firm upon the rock of Peter. Peter’s faith stands firm upon the rock of God’s Word made flesh in Jesus Christ. So, our attitude today is to be in communion of hearts and prayers with the Holy Father Pope Francis, who is the Successor of Saint Peter. We don’t have to criticize the Holy Father, but we have to love him and pray for him. That God may establish him in faith and wisdom. So, being strong in himself, he may strengthen us, his brothers, in faith and hope.
Rev. Fr Pepin W. F. DANDOU
Georgetown, CA August 22, 2020.