SOLEMNITY OF STS. PETER AND PAUL
Mt 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.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved. http://www.usccb.org/bible/approved-translations
The Church of Mercy
One of the Vatican’s most sought-after pilgrimage sites is the “Scavi”—the excavations under St. Peter’s Basilica where the tomb of St. Peter was discovered in the 20th century. Standing in that narrow, cramped space the exchange between Jesus and Peter in today’s gospel comes alive: “Who do you say that I am?” “You are the Christ, the son of the Living God.” With that act of faith, Peter’s life was changed…as was the course of human history.
Later in this gospel passage, Jesus declares: “You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church.” Standing amidst the stones of the Scavi, that promise is literally fulfilled.
Centuries pass and now Pope Francis is the current “rock,” holding the keys of Peter. We are invited today to pray for Pope Francis and the Church of mercy which he shepherds. It is also a good day also to reflect on my personal commitment to the Church as well as my practical willingness to “walk with the poor” as Pope Francis invites.
And I ponder the impact of Jesus’ question in my own personal life: “Who do you say that I am?”
—The Jesuit Prayer Team
Prayer
Life-giving God, the light of your revelation brought Peter and Paul the gift of faith in Jesus your Son. Through their prayers may we who received this faith through their preaching give witness in our daily lives to Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord. Amen.