"YOU ARE PETER AND ON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH"
First Reading: Acts. 12:1-11
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4: 6-8,17-18
Gospel Reading: Matthew 16: 13-19
* First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. It narrates Peter's imprisonment and miraculous freedom by an Angel of the Lord. The early Church faced sever opposition from the powerful Jewish authorities. But God in a special way intervened to save them. In our difficult times too God will certainly come to our aid through His graces.
* Second reading is from Second Letter of St. Paul to Timothy. In this passage, Paul tells Timothy that his life in this world is coming to an end. He looks back with gratitude and thankfulness to God for His support and strength to proclaim the Word of God to the Gentiles. He says that ' I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race". St. Paul's life should encourage us to lead a life worthy of our call.
"Peter the Rock"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. The context is that Jesus asks His disciples: what do the people say about Him ? The disciples express different opinions. Some say John the Baptist who was beheaded by Herod has come back to life. Another opinion was that Elijah one of great prophets of Old Testament, who could bring down fire from heaven, has come back to life. A third opinion was that, Jeremiah, the who was known as suffering servant of God, has come back to life. Yet another opinion was that one of prophets of old has come back to life. The true identity of Jesus is not revealed in any of the above answers. Finally, Jesus puts a person question to His disciples. Who do you say that I am? Immediately, Simon Peter spoke up and confessed that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. Immediately, Jesus compliments him and said, this revelation is not of human origin but of divine origin, that the Heavenly Father reveled it. Further Jesus told Peter, that His Church will be built on the foundation of Peter the rock and powers of death will not prevail against it.
Hence, Jesus indicates Peter's role in the founding of the Church, that he is the element of solidity and cohesion in the Church. He is given the power to absolve or to condemn. St. Peter thus guarantees the faith and preserves the unity of the Church.
" Ubi Petrus, ibi ergo ecclesia: Where Peter is, there, accordingly is the Church" - St. Jerome
"Jesus Christ and St. Paul possess the order of charity, not of the mind, for they wished to humble not to teach" - Blaise Pascal
First Reading: Acts. 12:1-11
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4: 6-8,17-18
Gospel Reading: Matthew 16: 13-19
* First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. It narrates Peter's imprisonment and miraculous freedom by an Angel of the Lord. The early Church faced sever opposition from the powerful Jewish authorities. But God in a special way intervened to save them. In our difficult times too God will certainly come to our aid through His graces.
* Second reading is from Second Letter of St. Paul to Timothy. In this passage, Paul tells Timothy that his life in this world is coming to an end. He looks back with gratitude and thankfulness to God for His support and strength to proclaim the Word of God to the Gentiles. He says that ' I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race". St. Paul's life should encourage us to lead a life worthy of our call.
"Peter the Rock"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. The context is that Jesus asks His disciples: what do the people say about Him ? The disciples express different opinions. Some say John the Baptist who was beheaded by Herod has come back to life. Another opinion was that Elijah one of great prophets of Old Testament, who could bring down fire from heaven, has come back to life. A third opinion was that, Jeremiah, the who was known as suffering servant of God, has come back to life. Yet another opinion was that one of prophets of old has come back to life. The true identity of Jesus is not revealed in any of the above answers. Finally, Jesus puts a person question to His disciples. Who do you say that I am? Immediately, Simon Peter spoke up and confessed that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. Immediately, Jesus compliments him and said, this revelation is not of human origin but of divine origin, that the Heavenly Father reveled it. Further Jesus told Peter, that His Church will be built on the foundation of Peter the rock and powers of death will not prevail against it.
Hence, Jesus indicates Peter's role in the founding of the Church, that he is the element of solidity and cohesion in the Church. He is given the power to absolve or to condemn. St. Peter thus guarantees the faith and preserves the unity of the Church.
" Ubi Petrus, ibi ergo ecclesia: Where Peter is, there, accordingly is the Church" - St. Jerome
"Jesus Christ and St. Paul possess the order of charity, not of the mind, for they wished to humble not to teach" - Blaise Pascal
