Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 16:13-20. Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. He said to them, But who do you say that I am? Simon Peter said in reply, You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Jesus said to him in reply, Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Messiah. Reflection: We can distinguish three moments in Jesus appointing a vicar for himself on earth. When Peter makes his confession of faith, Jesus does two things: he commends Peter, then he makes Peter the Rock on which he will build his church. At the time of the Passion, Jesus warns Peter of his approaching denial. But he adds, ‘When you have come back, strengthen your brethren.’ The college of apostles will be dependent on Peter. Finally, after the resurrection, Jesus, having three times drawn from Peter a protestation of love, installs him in the pastoral office: ‘Feed my lambs; feed my sheep’. It is in the context of a revelation by the Father that Jesus makes Peter the foundation rock of his church. It is in a context of human weakness sustained by the prayer of Christ that Jesus makes Peter the president of the apostolic college. It is in a context of love that Jesus installs Peter in the pastoral office. The teaching authority within the church is to be an expression first of the love of Christ and then of his flock.
Posted on: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 04:08:18 +0000
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