(Photo: Ruins of the Temple of Pan in Caesarea Philippi)
Wednesday of Holy Week, March 27, 2018
Now Jesus asks them directly, “But who do you say that I am?” In this unavoidable, face-to-face situation with Christ, there is no “perhaps,” no “some say,” no opinions anymore, but only silence, or else the one answer that Peter now gives: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.” Here in the midst of the whirl of human opinions and perspectives, something truly new is visible. Here the name of God has been named; the name of the Eternal has been spoken; the mystery has been brought to light. This is no longer human thinking but rather the very opposite; this is divine revelation and confession of faith. “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven…you are Peter, the rock, and on this rock I will build my church.”
-from The Collected Sermons of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Volume 1, pgs. 83-84
