With Peter we too readily confess that Jesus is the Christ. But that is not enough. We must not make it an empty formula of faith. Sunday after Sunday we make our profession of faith with the entire Christian community, throughout the world. What significance does this hold for us? Do we believe Jesus is the Christ in and through his passion and death? This is what Jesus asks his disciples, as he poses this question of his identity, on the road to Jerusalem, where he will be betrayed, abandoned, tortured and crucified to death.

A rejection of the Cross of Christ is not only a total misunderstanding of the mystery of Christ but also a denial of its consequences for our Christian life. Today we hear stories of Christians being tortured for their faith in Christ, in many parts of the world, particularly in the Middle East. Their faith in Christ is written in their blood. To proclaim Jesus as the Messiah/Christ and at the same time to refuse to accept the cross/suffering is tantamount to a satanic temptation. (v 32-33) Today we are asked: "What does Jesus mean for us?" Our answer is not to be in words but in the way we live!