Monsignor Enrique Díaz Díaz shares with Exaudi readers his reflection on the  Gospel of this Sunday, August 23, 2026 ,  entitled:  “ And you, who do you say that I am? ” . 

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Isaiah 22:19-23:  “I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David”

Psalm 137:  “Lord, your love endures forever”

Romans 11:33-36:  “Everything comes from God, everything was made by him, and everything is directed toward him.”

Matthew 16:13-20:  “You are Peter, and I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.”

Jesus has reached the halfway point on his journey to Jerusalem. After feeding thousands, healing the Canaanite woman’s daughter, and overcoming the storms, he asks his disciples what people think of him. It’s not that Jesus is particularly interested in public opinion polls, much less that he seeks ways to sway the masses to his own ends; quite the opposite, in fact. He wants his disciples to understand that beyond images and appearances, what truly matters is their encounter with him and their embrace of the values ​​of the Kingdom. He highlights the stark contrast between the excessive expectations of those who anticipate a powerful prophet or Messiah and the simple paths of service, dedication, and humility that Jesus chooses. People call him a prophet, but they expect him to conform to their own standards, to confirm their ambitions, and to uphold their own interests. Peter’s confession goes much further and reflects the profound influence the Risen Lord has had on the formation of the Gospel. But let’s not get our hopes up too high: Peter categorically and correctly affirms who Jesus is, but he is still far from embracing his values ​​and way of life. He will inevitably stumble and will have to profoundly change his heart to conform it to Jesus’s.

 Jesus’ question is by no means relegated to the past. Today, more than ever, it is relevant, and today, more than ever, we must answer it with our own lives.  ” But who do you say that I am?”  It is certainly a challenging question, almost offensive to some. For others, it is a question born of the sincere love Jesus has for us. And who is Jesus to me? We all have answers from catechism classes and cheap theology. This is not a question for an ancient or contemporary history exam. There are many atheists who think they know everything about Jesus. Even the Pharisees who spied on him knew everything about him: his father, his mother, his relatives, his age, his travels through Palestine. There are many who cite Jesus’ words to reinforce their own ideologies or to justify discrimination, condemnation, and judgment of others. On the other hand, it is sad to see that many who call themselves Catholic or Christian do not hesitate to commit injustices, break down fraternity, and adopt positions against life. It is paradoxical that men and women who claim to be “Catholic” do not, on the other hand, contribute to building the Kingdom, fighting for justice, or protecting the rights of the most vulnerable. We would like to be Christians without the cross. Jesus is not interested in an image or a survey result; Jesus is interested in a response lived with our lives.

I am struck by the condemnation Isaiah levels in the first reading against the one who was supposed to be a servant of the Lord. He has abused his power, and being merely a steward of the palace, he presents himself as king with blatant arrogance, committing arbitrary acts and despising the Lord. He who was meant to be the servant and care for the people becomes their tyrant and oppressor. The Lord condemns him and presents a new servant to whom he will give the keys of the palace, making him as firm as a “peg in the wall.” These are God’s sharp words. Words that denote the limit of his divine patience. Words that should resonate in our own ears as the just threat of our God, our Father of goodness, who, precisely because he is good, uses every means at his disposal to bring his children back to the right path, even serious threats and harsh punishment. Confessions, however complete and beautiful they may be, are not enough. God’s ways do not follow the course of conceited and deceitful people who assume power to satisfy their own whims. Peter, upon making his confession of faith, will have to begin a long journey of learning alongside Jesus. He will have to discover all that this confession means, even to the point of offering his own blood on the cross, just as Jesus himself did.

On the other hand, Jesus’ question contains a great deal of trust and affection for the one he asks. It is the question of a lover wanting to see into the heart of the beloved; it is a plea of ​​love. I believe that each of us will have to create that space of intimacy to allow ourselves to be questioned by Jesus:  “Who do you say I am?”  Let us draw near to him and speak in confidence, making a sincere confession of faith, but also laying before Jesus our criteria, our priorities, how we spend our time, and comparing them with the demands of the Kingdom. A true friend will help us discover, with courage and love, our wounds and our contradictions. He will show us whether our hearts are responding to the revelation of our Father God, or whether we are instead following the world’s standards and moving about amidst the ebb and flow of modern idols that subdue us with their sweet songs and envelop us in their lies and falsehoods. Let us pause and dare to answer honestly who Jesus is for us, and then let us compare our words with our lives to see if they reflect reality. Do we truly live what we profess to believe? Is our personal relationship with Him evident in our actions? Do we engage in dialogue with Him, give Him time, and take Him seriously? Let us not be afraid: those who allow Christ into their hearts lose nothing; on the contrary, His friendship opens the doors of life.

God the Father, grant that, like Jesus, we may find the path to fulfilling your will and building the Kingdom of Life and Love. Amen.