Zechariah 12:10-11; 13:1

​The Jewish people of Jesus’ day had expectations of the Messiah, but none spoke of a suffering Messiah. Our Christian forebears, in light of the experience of a Messiah who had suffered and died for God’s people, proclaimed this central aspect of Jesus’ identity. The novelty of their claims about Jesus must have invited opposition and Christians sought and found Old Testament texts to use in their proclamation. The first reading today, from the Prophet Zechariah is an example of such a text. The original context of this passage is somewhat obscure. Zechariah wrote to the remnant of Israel, returned from exile in and struggling to reestablish the nation. Zechariah both chides and encourages the people. Calling the people to return to the Lord, he speaks of a mysterious figure that suffers, dies, and inspires terrible mourning. This figure shares characteristics with the Suffering Servant found in the Isaiah tradition. Whatever its original context, Christians read this text with new eyes; eyes that witnessed Jesus pierced on the cross; eyes that wept for the terrible loss on that day.

Psalm 63:2, 3-4,
​5-6, 8-9

Sometimes characterized as a "Psalm of Trust," Psalm 63 speaks movingly of the longing to be present in the Temple worshipping the Lord. There is an intimacy to the language and notice that it values that close relationship to the Lord even above the value of life itself. 

Galatians 3:26-29

​The Gospel passage today asserts that Jesus’ identity is bound up in his destiny to suffer and die, it also warns that such suffering is an inescapable part of discipleship. Jesus’ prediction of His Passion is followed immediately with the warning that the disciple must take up his or her cross. Here we come to a crucial point- when we answer the question “Who do you say that I am,” we reveal as much about ourselves as we proclaim about Jesus. If we truly believe with Peter that Jesus is the Messiah of God, then this truth must shape us and the way in which we live. The Letter to the Galatians tells us as much when it asserts that the Baptized have a new identity; one that transcends every human distinction. After Paul departed the Galatians, others questioned Paul’s authority and denounced his welcome of Gentile converts without requiring observance of the Mosaic code. In this passage, Paul goes beyond defending himself and the question of Gentile converts. He offers a stirring and poetic expression of the power of union with Christ to transform the believer.

Font in the Baltimore Basilica

Luke 9:18-24

​The Gospel passage from Luke relates the story of Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Messiah and Jesus’ first explicit warning of His coming passion. This scene originates in Mark’s Gospel where it serves as a turning point. In Mark’s understanding, Jesus’ identity cannot be known by human beings until His death on the cross. When Peter shows a moment of rare and fleeting insight, Jesus rebukes him and warns of the passion. From this point, the Gospel moves rapidly towards the events of Jesus’ suffering and death.
 
While Luke relates the same scene, he has different interests. The moment remains important as Jesus raises the question of His identity. Jesus has already provoked a variety of responses. Some react with outright hostility. Others misunderstand Him and the disciples inform Jesus of those who see Him as Elijah or an ancient prophet. Peter’s identification of Jesus as Messiah is more explicit with the addition of the phrase, “of God,” and Jesus’ response is slightly different. Instead of rebuking Peter in harsh terms, Jesus rebukes “them.” In Mark they are not to tell anyone about Jesus, in Luke it appears they are not yet to reveal the passion prediction that follows. Luke appears to soften the criticism of Peter and shows less interest in Mark’s “Messianic Secret.” Nevertheless, Luke is faithful to the most important aspect the passage. Jesus’ identity is closely connected to his destiny on the cross.