Why am I saying all this? The reason is that today’s gospel presents us with two answers about the true identity of Jesus. The response of the general populace was very different from the true response of Peter. The general populace had so many varied opinions of who Jesus might be and they were all wrong. It was Peter prompted by God the Father who could truly identify Jesus as “The Christ, the Son of the Living God”.
What is our true identity as people created by God? One of the great films that was around a few years ago was “Superman”. The main character Christopher Reeve became very popular with many people. He was sought after for interviews on TV stations and on other forms of mass media. He was often asked this question “What makes a person a hero?” The answer that he usually gave is that a hero is someone who is able to be involved in a very courageous action without thinking of the consequences. For example a hero is a person who instinctively goes into a burning house to save some of the people who may still be trapped inside. A hero is a person who comes to an aid of another person who is being attacked without realizing the danger or the consequences that might ensue from such an action. This is all very true, but it is not the full picture.
In May 1995, Christopher Reeve fell from his horse and this resulted in him becoming paralyzed from the neck downwards. We still remember him in a wheel chair never giving up and trying his best to improve his condition and to be able to give courage to others who might be suffering some serious difficulties. This experience of suffering made him think again about his definition of a hero. He came to the conclusion that a real hero is a person who finds strength to go on in the face of terrible odds or overwhelming difficulties. This takes real courage when a person is very conscious of the consequences and still takes the bold step to carry on. This requires real strength. This requires real courage.
Jesus did exactly the same thing. He was fully conscious of where He was heading and yet He did not back off. He knew well that He was heading for a terrible death on the cross yet He did not turn away from it. Instead He turned death into a triumph. We all have our difficulties and problems to face. No one is immune from adverse situations. However, as people created by God, we do not panic when difficulties arise. We do not back off or throw in the towel. Rather we face them knowing that we are not alone; knowing that Jesus Christ is constantly with us. This is what kept St Paul going in his journey as a Christian. His words echo very strongly to each of us today as we heard in the second reading. “All baptized in Christ, you have all clothed yourselves in Christ”. Because of our baptism we are constantly protected, loved, empowered and encouraged by the life giving presence of Jesus Christ within us.
At the same time it can also be said that what people say or think about us may at times, contain some truth. We need to listen to what others say about us so that if there are areas that need to be changed we do so. This is true especially if these opinions come from people who care for us and who desires the best for us. Many are familiar with Alfred Noble a Swedish industrialist who invented dynamite. He became very prosperous as a result of his invention. However, towards the end of his life be became a recluse and very lonely. He had a very pessimistic outlook on life and he was wasting all his talents as he became paralyzed by his attitudes of negativity. By mistake, one day a journalist published his obituary in one of the prominent papers. Alfred Noble was very distressed by what he read, because he realized that what he was going to be remembered for was that he invented dynamite. Dynamite was being used by so many irresponsible people to kill and maim so many others. His invention was being misused to bring so much sadness and abuse. He was referred to as the “dynamite king”. However, the obituary did not mention any of his great qualities especially his desire to bring unity among people and to improve the life of so many who were living in very disadvantaged conditions.
Alfred Noble, knew that he had in him the necessary talents to do so much good and he wanted people to remember him for the good things that he believed in and not simply for inventing dynamite. As a result he invested his vast wealth into a trust and the interest would go to encourage people to use their talents to help others. He set up five prizes that would be awarded to those who made outstanding contributions in the fields of physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and peace. These prizes which are called the Nobel prizes are presented every year in Sweden. Today, generally speaking, Alfred Nobel is remembered more for these prizes than as the person who invented dynamite.
It is the same with us. There are areas in our lives that can be bettered. The invitation as people created in the image and likeness of God is not to be afraid to take the plunge and right what needs to be changed. We can do so when we surround ourselves by other people who have sound Christian values and principles and as we seek a deeper and closer relationship with Jesus Christ who is alive in us. Let us keep remembering the words of St Paul as expressed in today’s second reading. “You are, all of you, sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. All baptized in Christ, you have clothed yourselves in Christ”. So let us take courage.
God Bless.
