Luke 9:18-22

Haggai 2:1-9

Psalm 43:1, 2, 3, 4

Luke 9:18-22

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude,

and the disciples were with him,

he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”

They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah;

still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’”

Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.”

He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.

He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly

and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,

and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, Creator of all things, grant me a deep knowledge of your works and your plan of salvation. Help me to know my part and enlighten my mind to know how I can help my family, my friends, and the members of my community to know you better and love you more deeply.

Encountering the Word of God

1. The Christ of God: The Gospel of Luke introduces the story of Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ of God, by telling us that Jesus was praying in solitude. In this context of prayer, Jesus turns to his disciples and asks them a question about his identity: “Who do the crowds say that I am?” The disciples say that some in the crowds think that Jesus might be John the Baptist, Elijah, or another prophet brought back to life (Luke 9:7-8). This response refers back to a prophecy from Malachi, which states that Elijah the prophet would return before the day of the Lord (Malachi 3:23). Jesus then directs the question about his identity to his disciples. When Peter confesses Jesus as the Messiah, it comes after the multiplication of the loaves and fishes (Luke 9:10-17). This miracle contributed to the disciples’ coming to understand aspects of Jesus’ messianic identity. “Jesus as Messiah is like a new Moses who brings back the treasury of manna […]. He is a prophetic Messiah who works miracles like Elisha, who was an anointed prophet (1 Kings 19:16). He is, of course, also a kingly Messiah in the line of David (see Luke 1:32-33; 2:11). In this regard, Jesus’ preaching on the kingdom of God (4:43; 8:1, 10), mentioned again in the immediate context (9:11), is also part of his mission as a kingly Messiah” (Gadenz, The Gospel of Luke, 180).

2. The Son of Man: In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus refers to himself as the “Son of Man” over twenty times. These references fall into three categories. First, some refer to his public ministry and his authority to forgive sins. Second, some refer to his upcoming passion and suffering in Jerusalem. Third, some refer to his glorification after his crucifixion and his future coming. While the title “Messiah” could be misunderstood in purely political terms, the phrase “Son of Man” was less politically charged and somewhat ambiguous, and Jesus could safely use it to speak about himself. While the phrase “son of man” could simply mean a mortal human being as a descendant of Adam, it also could refer to Daniel’s prophecy of a divine-like being receiving royal authority (Daniel 7:13-14). That is why Jesus “rebukes” his disciples about using the title “Messiah.” Jesus did not reprimand them for using the title, but did order them forcefully not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah. It was a truth that could not yet be proclaimed openly. As the disciples walked with Jesus on the way to Jerusalem, he revealed more about himself as the Messiah and Son of Man. Every time we read and contemplate the travel narrative in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 9:51-19:44), we are invited to walk with Jesus and learn with the disciples who he is and what he has come to do. 

3. Haggai’s Second Oracle: The prophet Haggai received a total of four prophetic oracles. Yesterday, we read the first oracle that admonished the people for putting their own comfort and luxury ahead of the things of God. Today, we read the second oracle, which encourages the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel, and Joshua the High Priest, to persevere in their efforts to rebuild the Temple. They shouldn’t be sad that the Second Temple would not be as glorious as the Temple of Solomon. Something greater is on the horizon: “Haggai prophesies a world-shaking event that will draw all nations to the Lord’s Temple with gifts of silver and gold. When this day comes, the Second Temple, small and unimpressive, will give way to one that is far more glorious and worthy of the divine presence. These future events are patterned on the events of the Exodus, e.g., the Israelites who escaped bondage assembled at Mt. Sinai, which the Lord shook with a mighty earthquake (Ex 19:18; Ps 68:8); they built a Tabernacle for the Lord (Ex 25-30) with the silver and gold they had gotten from the Egyptians (Ex 12:35-36); its architects were endowed with skills of craftsmanship by the same Spirit (Ex 31:1-11) who abides in postexilic Judah (Haggai 2:5)” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, 1600). In the Church, we form part of the glorious New Temple of God, and the Spirit of God fills us.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you are the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. You were slain, yet rose victorious and have been enthroned at the right hand of the Father. Help me to live my baptismal vocation as a priest, prophet, and king today.

Living the Word of God: Can I spend time in prayer today contemplating the Church as the Temple of God and the Body of Christ? Do I believe the Church founded by Christ is one, holy, catholic (universal), and apostolic?