What is our Profession of Faith?
Peter made his Profession of Faith in Jesus, as the son of the living God, in the gospel last week. Today we find ourselves in a completely different scene. Jesus rebukes Peter because he has not understood what the Messianism of Jesus is. For Peter, the Messiah is a powerful and triumphant king away from the suffering and the pain. Jesus on the other hand reminds him that there is no redemption without suffering. This is what we call the first passion announcement. The lesson to learn is that Jesus did not come to take away the suffering or the humiliation, but that we must accept the pains of each day to be able to take part in His glory. That is why when we are suffering, instead of considering it a punishment of God; we have to see it within the plan of God’s salvation. Jesus unites us in His suffering and His cross. Therefore, our Confession of faith requires hope, that in the midst of trials and suffering, we obtain our salvation. The challenge is to be companions with all those who are crucified today.

Words of Pope Francis:
“Spiritual worldliness, which hides behind the appearance of piety and even love for the Church, consists in seeking not the Lord’s glory but human glory and personal well-being. But if it were to seep into the Church, it would be infinitely more disastrous than any other worldliness which
is simply moral.”
 
(Evangelii gaudium, n. 93).
 
  Fr. Hernan, S.J.