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."
Reflection:
Peter is praised today within the church for his belief and
faith in Jesus as the Son of the living God. This faith would lead him into
times of doubt, of unfaithfulness, and eventually to martyrdom. How do I live
out my faith?
Jesus did not leave us orphans. We are the people of God,
with a leader, and the support of the Holy Spirit in the Church. How do I follow
the teaching of the Church?