Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 16, 13-19
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
In Peter and Paul faith is strengthened
1. Peter. In Peter we see a simple, rough and clumsy person, a man of great character. He is not an academic, he is straightforward and a man of action. Remember that our first Pope was a sinner. Just imagine the situation: Peter denied Jesus, not only once, but three times. In Peter we see the mercy and the power of God, the transforming power of God.
2. Paul. He is more educated, more intellectual, but a fierce fighter as well. He is the one who goes from being a persecutor to being persecuted. He shows us a different path, not only the path of faith formation but also the process of the transformation of the person through his meeting with Jesus.
3. The church. In the differences of both apostles who are pillars of the church you can see that a path is presented. Everyone in the Church is different and unique, that is the richness from which we find the path to bring all brothers and sisters to the Kingdom of God. We are a united Church and not uniformed. Look at your charism, your gift, and get to work on it.
“Blessed are you, Simon.” Today, let us pray for Pope Francis. Let us pray for his intentions, his faithfulness, his work and his service.
God bless you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And remember that Heaven is our goal.
