In this week’s Gospel from St. Matthew, one of the most important characters is not a person, but a place: Caesarea Phillipi. According to scripture scholars, the land was well sought after for its verdant agriculture and fresh spring water. When Philip, the son of King Herod, ascends to power, he destroys Greek and Jewish edifices, renames the city after himself to Caesarea Phillipi, and constructs new temples to pagan gods. This is Phillip’s way of establishing Roman power and elevating him to a god-like status. Location clearly matters.

Jesus is very aware of the significance of place. His question to the disciples (“Who do you say that I am?”) in Caesarea Phillipi is as much a political statement as it is a theological statement. Jesus’ question is an act of resistance against Roman governance and pagan gods. He is attempting to reclaim a once sacred space for the God of Israel. But Jesus cannot do it alone. He needs the disciples to affirm this sentiment. When Peter proclaims, “You are the Messiah”, he asserts that God’s presence in a place matters.

Over the past four weeks in San Diego, I have come to see that “God’s presence in a place matters.” As a volunteer for FAITH ministry, I have shown up to the courthouse to accompany and pray for immigrants facing detention and deportation. When I walk past metal detectors and step into dimly lit hallways, I feel that I am entering a God-forsaken place. Looks and grumbles from some guards and federal employees make it feel as though neither me, nor our immigrant brothers and sisters, nor God are welcome in this place. In our way, praying a rosary, walking with our brothers and sisters to their court hearing, or greeting federal employees with kindness, is our small way of helping God to reclaim this place.
As you look at the metaphorical and literal places in your life, which places feel God forsaken?
What do you need from God to courageously stand in that place and proclaim God’s presence?