My dear people of God, today is the 21^st Sunday in ordinary time Year A. We thank God for His love and mercy, for the gift of life and health, and for His Son Jesus Christ our Lord. In our liturgy today, we are challenged to reflect prayerfully and ask ourselves, what kind of testimony do we have about Jesus? What kind of feedback do we give to the people about Jesus?  
Some years ago, someone ordered a used book online. The description given in the book says: used, 96% like new, no stain and no marks inside. Again, he paid for the speedy delivery, which may take about five business days. Unfortunately, the delivery of the item was delay. It took about two weeks before he received the book. Worse still, the description he read online about the book was quite different from the reality. Some of the pages were stained with drops of coffee. Some paragraphs were underlined with red pen.
And so, the feedback he gave about the book and the store, was not a pleasant one. The store decided to reimburse him all payments and appealed to him to retrieve everything he wrote. And so, he decided to remove the feedback for the interest of their business. There is a saying that good name worth more than silver and gold. Every business owner and corporations tried to maintain good name. And they love to hear from their customers about their products, services and other performances. They do everything possible to keep their business on the right lane, to maintain their good name and their customers.
In today’s gospel episode, we have someone who needs a feedback about himself. That person is Jesus Christ. His feedback is not for business purposes, but to know who the people think he is, and to create a deeper awareness and understanding about himself to his disciples.
First of all, he wanted to hear from the disciples about what people say of Him. All those people who came and listen to his preaching, and those he cured of their diseases, what is their explanation about the identity of Jesus? The response apostles gave was a kind of paradigm going on at that time. Some think he is John the Baptist, while some think he is Elijah. Still, others think he is one of the former prophets risen from the dead. Having heard those answers, Jesus now looks at them and asks them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Here, Jesus wants his apostles to think for themselves how they themselves see him. Besides the popular opinion or paradigm before them, how would they describe Jesus to the people? It is not enough to repeat what others think and say. He wanted the apostles to state clearly what is their thought about him. Peter answers in the name of all and says, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”. The answer Peter gave was a timely confession of Jesus.
Jesus thanks Peter for a well deserving answer. He also makes it very clear that it is not flesh and blood that revealed this to him, but his Father in heaven. In other words, Jesus is telling Peter and all of us, that to know Him, Jesus, is a gift from God. It is not something we can get by ourselves alone. It was indeed an answer given by those who are taught by God. Only the Father can reveal the Jesus to us, because, no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son… (cf. Mt. 11:27).
Again, Peter’s testimony changes his life forever. His name was changed from Simon to Peter-meaning the Rock. The authority for leadership was entrusted to him-the keys of the kingdom was given to him. The authority to bind and loose was entrusted to him, that is, the authority on faith and moral for the universal church.  
And so, today Jesus demands from each and every one of us an answer to this great faith question, who do you say that I am? Perhaps, you may say that Jesus is your Lord and Saviour who loves you more than anyone can ever love you. As Christ, the Messiah, he wants your friendship, because, he is always very close to you, ready to protect, help and comfort you. But, do you really know Him? How would you explain to the people about Jesus based on your personal experience?
Finally, you can know Jesus better through constant prayer, reading the sacred scripture and spiritual books, meditation, and continually following his teachings. In doing so, you can discover his infinite mercy, gentleness, compassion and love. Again, you will understand that Jesus never changes, He is the same today for you and me as he was in the past and will be forever. To know Jesus and to understand who He is can help us give perfect testimony about Him. Who do you say that I am?