REFLECTIONS TODAY
Simon Peter had always been first in the list of the Twelve Apostles, although in the Gospel of John it was Andrew who followed Jesus first and brought his brother Simon to Jesus. Peter, along with James and John, was witness of such incidents as the transfiguration (Mt 17:1) and the raising up of the daughter of Jairus (Mk 5:37). In today’s Gospel, he is revealed as the rock (Greek petra) on which Jesus builds his Church, and is given the “power of the keys” by Jesus. Peter’s prominence was recognized by the early Christian community and his martyrdom in Rome has given prestige to the eternal city.
Gospel • Matthew 16:13-19
When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi 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.”
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.