GOSPEL POWER l SEPTEMBER 24, 2021 l FRIDAY

25th Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Lk 9:18-22 18Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near  him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19They  answered, “John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that  one of the ancient prophets has arisen.” 20He said to them, “But who  do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.” 21He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, 22saying, “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be  rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on  the third day be raised.” 

The coming of the Christ — the Jewish Messiah — is  associated with great expectations, made more intense by  Israel’s experience of oppressive Roman rule. For the Christ  is looked up to as the liberator from bondage at all levels of life —  socio-political, economic, religious.… But Jesus has been sent for  a more immense project — the accomplishment of God’s purposes  for the entire creation; not only for the sake of Israel, nor simply of  human beings, but of everything that came forth from God’s creative  hands. Jesus cautions the disciples not to tell others that he is the  Christ, because such a premature announcement is bound to arouse  excitement. But the right moment has not yet come. God’s timing is  perfect, but it must be awaited with patience and sobriety. 

Lord Jesus, only the Paschal events of Calvary can provide us with the  lens for the correct reading of your mission as the Christ of God. Amen.