Gospel & Reflection for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Friends, Charles Lamb, was a nineteenth Century English author and poet. Friends with such people as William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Lamb was at the center of a major literary circle in England during the early 1800’s, even being described as “the most loveable figure in English literature”. However, for all his fame, for all how good society and friends thought and spoke about him, Lamb, along with his sister Mary, suffered terribly with his mental health. It led to an unspeakable family tragedy involving Mary, and a lifelong struggle to cope.

Spirituality though played an important role in his life and although he was not a churchman, and disliked organised religion, interestingly, he always sought consolation in faith and once described the New Testament as his “best guide” for life. A story is told about him that one night over dinner, a guest asked him what he would do if William Shakespeare was to walk into the room. Lamb replied by saying: “I would raise a glass of port to the great man.” “But suppose,” said another guest, “that Jesus were to come here.” Lamb answered, “Then I would get down on my knees…there is all the difference in the universe between the Man from Nazareth and any other great person you can think of”.

In that reply, Lamb recognized that Jesus Christ is God, and all others, no matter what their deeds, are but poor players on the stage of history.

In our Gospel, we find the Apostles finally coming to a similar understanding of Christ. I say ‘finally’ because while a very privileged group, fortunate to be so close to the greatest person ever to walk this earth and witness first-hand extraordinary events and teachings; still, much of what they experienced went right over their heads! They failed, often, to grasp and understand all that was being said and done.

• When Jesus fed the five thousand, it was in response to the disciples not knowing what to do, forgetting Jesus and seeing only the limitations of their own provisions – “we have five loaves and two fish…but what is that among so many?” His teachings too always needed to be explained to them.

• When Jesus rescued Peter, and calmed the storm, He looked and said: “Man of little faith…” Mind you, none of the other disciples even dared to leave the boat in the first place!

• When Jesus encountered the Canaanite Woman, and they argued about the nature of God and His willingness to reach out to all people; the apostles saw only an embarrassing public confrontation, but they ended up hearing Jesus say: “Woman you have great faith”

So, the disciples had a lot to ponder, to work out, and to learn. In our Gospel, Jesus very plainly but directly asks them if they are finally beginning to see just who it is they are following and what it is He is offering? Peter speaks for them all. “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Finally, they are understanding the miracles and teachings. Now they see why the Canaanite woman was commended and Peter admonished. They are comprehending the power, teaching, and example of the Master.

Friends, what is it that we comprehend, that we know and believe about Jesus Christ? Who is Jesus for me and for you? These are the questions put before us all this weekend.

Is Christ a historical figure, with little relevance for life today? Is He but one spiritual or religious guru among many, a great moral teacher with good things to say just like Buddha or Mohammed, as many seem happy to classify Him? Or is He for us, as He claims to be – the Son of the living God? The answer will either transform, challenge, and move us, or it will trivialise our dignity and call as people created and loved, in the image and likeness of God.

Yet, as faith is pushed further to the side in our society, the Lord’s question still echoes and presses upon all people – “Who do people say I am?”

What is our answer and how do we respond to it?

Fr. Richard