Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 16, 13-23
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 Christ, 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 Christ.
From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples
that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly
from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised.
Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him,
“God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.”
He turned and said to Peter,
“Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
Understanding your identity
1. I Am. Who you are, your identity, is constantly evolving. Of course, some core things are essential to you, but life’s circumstances and the pain you experience inevitably bring about change. The challenges you face can shift your perspective, and others will notice these transformations in you. Take a moment today to reflect: Who am I now? What have I become? And where is my life heading? I admit that I’ve certainly changed. What people say about me and who I am today is completely different from what was said years ago, and from who I thought I’d be back then. Only you truly know all the experiences that have shaped your life and brought about these changes. Don’t let your day end without considering this transformation within yourself.
2. Revealed. Your spiritual life helps you understand much about what you’re experiencing now and what you’ve been through. By looking at your situations with a supernatural perspective, you can begin to grasp the changes and the reasons behind things. Just as it’s helpful to reflect on how you’ve changed and why you’ve become who you are, it’s also important to consider what meaning you find in who you are today, from God’s perspective.
3. Behind. The desire for constant success and the avoidance of suffering are powerful temptations we all face. I’m not saying success is bad. Wanting to impress or keep up appearances can also be tempting. However, enduring pain and setbacks is part of life, and it’s these struggles that guide us toward true success. Success isn’t a matter of luck; it’s the fruit of perseverance. Achieving your goals isn’t about whether others favor you; it’s about personal effort. Experiencing beautiful moments isn’t just about the people around you; it’s about the perspective you bring to situations. The opportunities that come your way aren’t simply given; they stem from your conviction and the faith you place in God. Remember, even the greatest figures throughout history faced difficult and painful times. It’s often through these challenging experiences that you truly learn to live.
Remember that something good is on the way!
God bless you and protect you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
