The Gospel relates a high point in Jesus' relationship with His disciples. Up to now He has been their Teacher and Rabbi but now, in answer to His question about His real identity, Peter, in the name of all, proclaims that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah, the Saviour-King of Israel. It must have been an awesome moment for them and a moment of excitement to be so privileged. Immediately, Peter is told that he will be the foundation on which the community of Jesus' future followers will be built. He and his companion Apostles will be the ones to hand on the Gospel tradition and Jesus will be with them all the way.

But they still have a long way to go before they really understand what it means for Jesus to be Messiah. When they are told, almost immediately, that Jesus will be put to death by the religious leaders of their people, they are horrified and dumbstruck. It will take them quite a while to accept a Suffering Messiah as God's way to save His people. We, too, need to be able to understand the role of suffering in Jesus' life - and in our own.