Gospel: The Rock Upon the Church is Built

Today is the Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time and the Gospel will be read from the account of St Matthew.

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, "Who do the 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, "Who do you think 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 will be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

The Gospel narrates to us how Jesus wanted to know who he was in the eyes of the public. The disciples gave him a list of names which they probably heard on the street or in the market place. But the response seems to be unsatisfying so he asked his disciples instead.

It was Peter who responded confidently that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Jesus acknowledged this response as something that is not from flesh and blood, but revealed to him by the Heavenly Father.

Because of this faithful response, Jesus rewarded him by giving him a new name, the Rock upon whom the church was built. Often times, when we come to Jesus, we have our own notion of who he is. We try to interpret things in our own understanding, and does not wait for God to reveal it to us. Knowing Jesus requires deep reflection, a constant search for him and his grace, a longing for his presence.

Just like St Peter, may we not lose the faithful conviction that Jesus is the Christ in whatever we are doing. And may the things we do embody the faith that we profess. Amen.

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