Greetings on this the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Isaiah 22:19-23; Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 6, 8; Romans 11:33-36; Matthew 16:13-20
Summary
The Name, the Rock and the Keys in our gospel portion today, give a single, unified view of the position of Prime Minister of the Church, basic purpose and visible structure.
- Who do people say that the Son of Man is?
- But who do you say that I am?
- What shall we call Peter?
1a.Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.
2a. You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
3a. 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.
Reflection
The Old Testament reading today, the giving of authority to Eliakim, brings a meaningful perspective to the keys in our gospel portion.
I will place the key of the House of David on Eliakim’s shoulder;
when he opens, no one shall shut,
when he shuts, no one shall open.
I will fix him like a peg in a sure spot,
to be a place of honor for his family.” (Isa 22:22-23).
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.” (Mt 16:19).
a. Peter is the Rock of the Rock (Prime Minister) – with episcopal collegiality.
b. Bind and Loose those imprisoned by evil (Binding is to heal, loose is to set free).
c. Go on the offensive – proclaim! The gate of hell cannot withstand the force of love and will fall.
Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands (Ps 138:8bc).
He has not forgotten us. He has given us One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.
- One is Christ, his sacramental gifts, and led by His one Prime Minister.
- Holy as it is instituted by the Lord.
- Catholic means universal – open to all.
- Apostolic means enduring in succession among men until the end of time.
Personal Reflection
This is a very Catholic post. Yet my readers are from all faiths, and also no faiths. And everyone has an opinion about Jesus.
But who do you say that I am? is the question.
Our diversity of experiences, cultures and awareness brings a multitude of interior answers. Language helps but fails ultimately in the technical sense.
How can I reassure an anxious world? Perhaps Pope Leo XIV can speak it best?
“Peace be with you!”
This ancient greeting, still in use today in many cultures, was infused with new life on the evening of Easter on the lips of the risen Jesus. “Peace be with you” ( Jn 20:19, 21) is his Word that does not merely desire peace, but truly brings about a lasting transformation in those who receive it, and consequently in all of reality. For this reason, the Apostles’ successors give voice every day throughout the world to the most silent of revolutions: “Peace be with you!” From the very evening of my election as Bishop of Rome, I have wanted to join my own greeting to this universal proclamation. And I would like to reiterate that this is the peace of the risen Christ – a peace that is unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering. It comes from God who loves us all unconditionally.
(https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/messages/peace/documents/20251208-messaggio-pace.html)
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082326.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry