Sunday, June 29, 2014 Peter and Paul, Apostles 1st Reading: Acts 12:1-1 2nd Reading: 2 Tim 4:6-8, 17-18 Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19 Jesus came to Caesarea Philippi. He asked his disciples, “What do people say of the Son of Man? Who do they say I am?” They said, “For some of them you are John the Baptist, for others Elijah or Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Jesus asked them, “But you, who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “It is well for you, Simon Barjona, for it is not flesh or blood that has revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. “And now I say to you: You are Peter (or Rock) and on this rock I will build my Church; and never will the powers of death overcome it. “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and what you unbind on earth shall be unbound in heaven.” D@iGITAL-EXPERIENCE (Daily Gospel in the Assimilated Life Experience) When Peter said “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” he was answering a question directed to all the Apostles. But in reacting to that answer, Jesus was referring to Peter alone. “It is well for you, Simon son of Jonah”, Jesus told Peter, “for it is not flesh or blood that has revealed this to you but my Father in heaven.” The reward of becoming the rock foundation of Christ’s Church was also given to Peter alone and not to all the Apostles. Jesus said: “You are Peter (or Rock) and on this rock I will build my Church; and never will the powers of death overcome it.” This did not mean, however, that Peter was to enjoy the reward alone by himself. The reward was at the service of Christ’s Church where Peter was to exercise supremacy by the keys that were entrusted to him. Today, this power is exercised by the Pope who succeeds Peter. The pope’s official statements on morals called ‘ex cathedra teachings’ are infallible. Like Peter’s answer, the Pope’s ex-cathedra pronouncements are inspired and cannot be mistaken. We learn two lessons from this Gospel reading. The first is in regard to the necessity of a deeper knowledge of Jesus. The second is about the importance of Peter in the Church. The first lesson alerts us to the possibility of Jesus asking us the same question he asked Peter and the Apostles. Each time we make a choice between good and evil the same question crops up: “Who do you say that I am?”If Jesus to us is Son of the Living God, then our choice should be him and not the evil one. The second lesson invites us to revisit the role of Peter in our practice of religion. While no religion can save, no salvation can happen outside religion. If ever atheists are saved, it is because of the work of salvation continued in the Church founded by Christ which benefits all people of goodwill. In light of this it is not wise to belittle the issue of religion. In finding the authentic one Peter is the key because he has the key that can unlock heaven. Jesus told Peter: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and what you unbind on earth shall be unbound in heaven.” - Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., DM. Email: dan.delosangeles@gmail. Website: frdan.org. Prayer for the day: God our Father, sustain us with your grace so that we may remain faithful to our commitment to submit to your Holy Will and to remain in your Church all the days of our lives, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. TITLE: Peter the Rock CHURCH BULLETIN: SAINT OF THE DAY: STS. PETER AND PAUL, Apostles. St. Peter was a fisherman from Bethsaida in Galilee. At Caesarea Philippi, Jesus changed his name of Simon into Peter (Rock). He denied Jesus three times, and for three times Jesus asked him to confirm his love. (John 21:15). He was crucified on Vatican Hill during the persecution of Nero. St. Paul was a Pharisee from Tarsus who was converted on his way to Damascus and thereafter preached throughout Asia and Greece, where he founded many churches. To these he wrote the “Letters of St. Paul”. On his last visit to Jerusalem, he was arrested by his fellow Jews and charged with blasphemy. He was beheaded in the year 64.
Posted on: Sun, 29 Jun 2014 09:51:34 +0000
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