In today's Gospel reading Jesus questions His disciples on who the people say He is. Then He directs the question to themselves. Peter's response is an important one and now Jesus knows that Peter recognizes Him as Christ, Son of God. This revelation could only have come from God the Father and Jesus now senses that Peter is ready to receive his own important mission. He will be the rock, the one who will lead the church. Peter still has a lot to learn and gradually Jesus reveals to him how He himself will fulfill His own mission. Jesus for the first time talks about the suffering He will endure. This comes as a shock to Peter who cannot accept this. He could be an obstacle in Jesus' way and so has to gradually learn the ways of God which are so different from his own.

As we grow in our faith we too have our moments of acceptance and our moments of doubt. Christ often seems close to us when things are going well and we can then praise and thank God. But when we meet difficulties, suffering and darkness we forget Jesus' promise "I am with you always". Peter has again to learn the lesson that the servant is not greater than His master and that in his role as head of the church he too will experience difficulties. We too have to learn from Christ how to be a true follower of His.