(Please read the Scripture passage before reading the homily.
This is how Luke presents the life of Jesus. In chapter 7 and 8, he presents Jesus teaching what the Kingdom of God is; it is for everybody in all circumstances. Then he has Jesus sending out the Twelve. While they are out, he briefly describes Herod’s obsession with who Jesus is. At this point he records the question Jesus asks the Twelve how they identify him. This then leads to the first prediction of the Passion.
Jesus asks the Twelve how the crowds identify Jesus. The disciples report that some call him John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the ancient prophets. Their answers coincide very well with Herod’s thoughts about Jesus. So, Jesus asks the disciples how they identify him.
Let us pause for some reflection. Jesus had received baptism from John the Baptist. He had worked with John and in many respects continued the work of John. Perhaps Jesus could be John the Baptist reincarnated. On another hand, his preaching reminded many of the prophet Elijah. Others remembered the words of other prophets from their history. Perhaps Jesus could be one of the ancient prophets or, perhaps, even a successor to those prophets. These are not outlandish suggestions.
Jesus, then, turns to the disciples to ask their take on him: who am I to you? They reply puts Jesus in class by himself, not John, not Elijah, not any of the prophets. He is the Christ, the Messiah sent from God.
What does this mean? (Get ready for the shocker.) It means that the Son of Man has to suffer, died and be raised from the dead. The Kingdom of God is for everybody in every condition of life. It is also a kingdom for those who have died and who will be raised up.
The Kingdom of God shatters all our myths and fears. It calls us into a discipleship that embraces all peoples and all conditions, including life and death.
At this point, Luke will show Jesus as predicting his Passion and as resolutely going up to Jerusalem for this Passion and glorification.