My Jesuit classmates and I chose part of this Gospel for our Vow Mass, so I have to declare that I have a special interest here.

         Jesus and his disciples are in the predominantly pagan district of Caesarea Philippi which was dominated by Rome. It was, therefore, both an unexpected, yet fitting, place for Jesus’ identity to be proclaimed. He came, after all, not only for his own people but for the whole world.

         Responding to Jesus’ question about his identity, Peter speaks for the Twelve and confesses Jesus as “Christ” and “the Son of the living God.”  It’s a huge step for Peter and the others but it isn’t yet a complete recognition of his identity and mission. Jesus, however, is no mere rabbi, no ordinary prophet, but the long-awaited Messiah and Savior King who would deliver Israel. Notice that it’s only in Matthew that Peter calls Jesus “Son of God.”

         Simon is praised for his insight, but Jesus makes it clear that divine inspiration is at work and not a mere deduction. And now comes the great promise. Simon from now on is to be called ‘Peter’ for he will become the rock on which the church will be built, a rock which will stand firm against all attacks on it.

         The term ‘church’ only appears twice in Matthew and not at all in the other three gospels. Simon Peter is given the “keys of the Kingdom,” all that he’ll need to make the Kingdom a reality. His authority and that of the church is the authority of Jesus himself. Peter and the church are now God’s appointed agents.

         From the moment that they recognize Jesus as Messiah, he begins to prepare them for what is going to happen, giving them the first of three ominous predictions. Peter, who had just been covered in glory as the newly appointed leader protests strongly. He must have been shocked by Jesus’ reaction: “Get behind me Satan.” The man who was just now called a Rock is accused of being a stumbling block in the way of Jesus.

         It’ll take time before Peter and the others understand and accept a suffering and dying Messiah. It won’t happen until after the Resurrection and before that the Rock will be guilty of a shameful betrayal of the one who put such trust in him.

         We might ask ourselves to what extent we accept Jesus the rejected, suffering, dying and rising Messiah?