Reflection for Sunday 23rd August, 2026

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Significance of Names (Matt 16: 13-20)

Today’s Gospel is a story of new names. In the bible a new name meant a new mission. First of all, Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do people say the Son of man is?” 

Names of former heroes such as Elijah or Jeremiah were recalled.

“But who do you say I am?”

Simon son of Jonah spoke up. “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This was the first time that Jesus was given his new name, Christ, meaning the Anointed One, the promised Messiah. After Simon had identified Jesus with the new name of Christ, it was his turn receive the new name to express his new role. “It was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. So now I say to you: You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church”. Peter means a rock.

“But who do you say I am?”

In the Old Testament people were anointed into three important roles of leadership, as prophet, priest and king. A prophet’s role was to be a teacher revealing God’s presence and action in our lives. A priest was to mediate between people and God through leading their worship. A king was anointed to serve the people with responsibility and care. As all three roles were found in Jesus, so he was called the Christ, the Anointed One.

Christened

Our naming day was at our baptism. In addition to our name, immediately after baptism with water, we were anointed with chrism to signify our union with Christ as our prophet, priest and king. In a word, we were Christ-ened. A prophet’s task is not so much foretelling the future, but recognising God’s presence in our lives. We share in the priesthood of Christ by taking part at Mass in glorifying the Father through Jesus, with him and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit. We share in the kingship of Christ by working for a world guided by God’s law in respect for life, in justice and sharing of the world’s resources.

A Church on Solid Rock

At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had spoken of building a house on solid rock. The first foundation rock of the house of the Church would be Peter. He is promised the keys of the kingdom. Keys represent authority. Then Jesus looked to the future. “You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it.” In other words, the powers of evil will never conquer this Church. Never! What a wonderful promise! After the resurrection, the Risen Lord returned to appoint Peter as the new shepherd of the flock. “Feed my lambs, feed my sheep.”
When a new successor of Peter is elected, he takes a new name which announces the direction of his papacy. Pope Francis took the name of Francis of Assisi for his justice for the poor and his concern for nature. Pope Leo was inspired by Leo XIV for his social ideals.
Lord, protect your Church and never allow the forces of evil to infiltrate the community of believers.