Discussion Questions

First Reading

Acts 12:1-11

F1. In Peter’s rescue from prison, how important was “prayer by the Church was fervently being made to God on his behalf”? What is Luke telling us about praying for each other?

F2. Do you think the whole Church was praying for the intercession of the Holy Spirit in the selection of the new pope?

Second Reading

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18

S1. “The Lord stood by me and gave me strength.” Is Paul telling us that the Lord is our constant companion, giving us what we need? Does that bring with it a certain peace?

S2. Paul said he was “being poured out like a libation.” Peter had to escape from prison. Did God give them some hard tasks? Was God with them the whole time? Do you think he was with Pope Francis? Will he be with Pope Leo XIV?

Gospel

Matthew 16:13-19

G1. “You are Peter and upon this rock I shall build my church.” Do you think Pope Leo XIV will be listening for revelations from the Father, As Peter did when he said Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God?

G2. Jesus asked Peter “Who am I for you?” He asks each of us the same question. Is Jesus a figure from the past or is he is alive today?

Today in the Gospel (cf. Mt 16, 13-20), Jesus asks the disciples a good question: “Who do people say that the Son of man is?” (v. 13).

… Many see him as a great teacher, as a special person: good, righteous, consistent, courageous. … But is this enough to understand who he is, and above all, is it enough for Jesus? It seems not. If he were simply a person from the past—just as the figures cited in the same Gospel, John the Baptist, Moses, Elijah and the great prophets were for the people—he would merely be a good memory of a bygone time. And for Jesus, this will not do. Therefore, immediately afterwards, the Lord asks the disciples the decisive question: “But who do you—you!—say that I am?” (v. 15). Who am I for you, now? Jesus does not want to be a key figure from the past; He wants to be an important person for you today, of my today; not a distant prophet: Jesus wants to be the God who is close to us!

Christ, brothers and sisters, is not a memory of the past, but the God of the present. … Jesus is alive: let us remember this. Jesus is alive, Jesus lives in the Church, he lives in the world, Jesus accompanies us, Jesus is by our side, He offers us his Word, he offers us his grace, which enlighten and refresh us on the journey. He, an expert and wise guide, is happy to accompany us on the most difficult paths and the steepest slopes.

Who do people say that I am?
Pope Francis, Aug. 27, 2023

Anne Osdieck

**From Saint Louis University