25th Week in Ord. Time, Friday – 24th September 2021 — Gospel: Lk 9,18-22
Relational Identity in Prayer
The setting for the question of Jesus’ identity is temporal, i.e., at the time of prayer; when Jesus was praying alone with his disciples (9,18). Whereas the setting for Peter’s confession in Mark (8,27-32) and Matthew (16,13-21) is spatial, i.e., located at Caesarea Philippi. Jesus at prayer is a common theme in his public ministry (3,21; 5,16; 6,12; 11,1) as well as his passion (22,40-41.44.46; 23,46) and also in the transfiguration (9,28-36). Thus, Luke portrays that Jesus was absorbed in prayer before important events, which elucidates that he was relying on God’s wisdom and power. In this prayerful setting, when Jesus posed the question of identity to his followers, he was not just challenging them, but inviting them into a deeper relationship with him. He wanted them to learn to open their hearts to God in prayer and receive his life and love. In the book of Acts, Luke also pointed out that as the apostles learned how to pray, they became effective ministers of the gospel, understanding God’s purposes and willingly laying down their lives for the sake of the kingdom ( Acts 4,23-31; 10, 9-48; 27,21-26).
