He went on to say:

"You attached yourselves to Me in innocent trustfulness, like men who
spread their cloaks at My feet, and paid Me the honours of the Messiah.
When I announced the Kingdom of God you were with Me. And when some
left Me because My way became dangerous, and My person contemned, you
stayed with Me, and when My words were not fulfilled as you expected,
leading not to worldly power but to humiliation, you still stayed with
Me, followed Me into exile among the heathen, and into the desert
hills. Who am I, then, that you remain faithful to Me?"

They were so moved that no one was able to utter a word. Jesus
continued:

"I shall go down again to Galilee, but I shall find there no stone on
which to rest My head in peace. All who are with Me will be persecuted
for My sake. I shall go along the Jordan to Judaea, and up to
Jerusalem, where My most powerful enemies are. I shall confront them
and pronounce judgment on them. My words will pierce them, but My
flesh will be in their power. I shall suffer shame and disgrace and a
contemptible death. That will happen in a short time. Will you still
stay with Me? Whence is your trust derived? Who do you think I am?"

Simon jumped up from the ground, and exclaimed loudly and clearly:
"_You are Jesus the Christ! You are the Son of the living God!_"

* * * * * *

Solemnly it sounded forth to all eternity: Jesus Christ, the Son of God!

He stood up straight. Was there not a light round His head? Did not
the sky grow bright? The men's eyes were dazzled so that they were
obliged to shade them with their hands in order not to be blinded. A
sound came out of the light, a voice was heard: "He is My Son! He is
My beloved Son!" They were beside themselves; their bodies were
lifeless, for their souls were in the heights. Then Jesus came down to
them out of the light. His countenance had a strange look; something
extraordinary had passed over Him. With outstretched arms He came
slowly towards the disciples: "Simon! Did you say that of yourself?
It was surely an inspiration from above. Such a faith is the
foundation of the Kingdom of God; henceforth, then, you shall be named
Peter, the rock. I will found My community upon you, and what you do
on earth in My name will hold good in heaven above."

Simon looked round him. "What?" he thought in the secret recesses of
his heart, "am I raised above the others? Are none of th