Memorial of Saint Dominic, Priest
Lectionary: 410
Lectionary: 410
The whole
congregation of the children of Israel
arrived in the desert of Zin in the first month,
and the people settled at Kadesh.
It was here that Miriam died, and here that she was buried.
As the community had no water,
they held a council against Moses and Aaron.
The people contended with Moses, exclaiming,
“Would that we too had perished with our kinsmen in the LORD’s presence!
Why have you brought the LORD’s assembly into this desert
where we and our livestock are dying?
Why did you lead us out of Egypt,
only to bring us to this wretched place
which has neither grain nor figs nor vines nor pomegranates?
Here there is not even water to drink!”
But Moses and Aaron went away from the assembly
to the entrance of the meeting tent, where they fell prostrate.
Then the glory of the LORD appeared to them,
and the LORD said to Moses,
“Take your staff and assemble the community,
you and your brother Aaron,
and in their presence order the rock to yield its waters.
From the rock you shall bring forth water for the congregation
and their livestock to drink.”
So Moses took his staff from its place before the LORD, as he was ordered.
He and Aaron assembled the community in front of the rock,
where he said to them, “Listen to me, you rebels!
Are we to bring water for you out of this rock?”
Then, raising his hand, Moses struck the rock twice with his staff,
and water gushed out in abundance for the people
and their livestock to drink.
But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,
“Because you were not faithful to me
in showing forth my sanctity before the children of Israel,
you shall not lead this community into the land I will give them.”
These are the waters of Meribah,
where the children of Israel contended against the LORD,
and where the LORD revealed his sanctity among them.
arrived in the desert of Zin in the first month,
and the people settled at Kadesh.
It was here that Miriam died, and here that she was buried.
As the community had no water,
they held a council against Moses and Aaron.
The people contended with Moses, exclaiming,
“Would that we too had perished with our kinsmen in the LORD’s presence!
Why have you brought the LORD’s assembly into this desert
where we and our livestock are dying?
Why did you lead us out of Egypt,
only to bring us to this wretched place
which has neither grain nor figs nor vines nor pomegranates?
Here there is not even water to drink!”
But Moses and Aaron went away from the assembly
to the entrance of the meeting tent, where they fell prostrate.
Then the glory of the LORD appeared to them,
and the LORD said to Moses,
“Take your staff and assemble the community,
you and your brother Aaron,
and in their presence order the rock to yield its waters.
From the rock you shall bring forth water for the congregation
and their livestock to drink.”
So Moses took his staff from its place before the LORD, as he was ordered.
He and Aaron assembled the community in front of the rock,
where he said to them, “Listen to me, you rebels!
Are we to bring water for you out of this rock?”
Then, raising his hand, Moses struck the rock twice with his staff,
and water gushed out in abundance for the people
and their livestock to drink.
But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron,
“Because you were not faithful to me
in showing forth my sanctity before the children of Israel,
you shall not lead this community into the land I will give them.”
These are the waters of Meribah,
where the children of Israel contended against the LORD,
and where the LORD revealed his sanctity among them.
Responsorial PsalmPS 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9
R. (8) If today you hear his voice, harden not your
hearts.
Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;
let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyfully sing psalms to him.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For he is our God,
and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
“Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as in the day of Massah in the desert,
Where your fathers tested me;
they tested me though they had seen my works.”
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;
let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyfully sing psalms to him.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For he is our God,
and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
“Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as in the day of Massah in the desert,
Where your fathers tested me;
they tested me though they had seen my works.”
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
GospelMT 16:13-23
Jesus went into the
region of Caesarea Philippi
and 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.”
Then he strictly ordered his disciples
to tell no one that he was the Christ.
From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples
that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly
from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised.
Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him,
“God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.”
He turned and said to Peter,
“Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
and 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.”
Then he strictly ordered his disciples
to tell no one that he was the Christ.
From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples
that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly
from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised.
Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him,
“God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.”
He turned and said to Peter,
“Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
Meditation: "My
Father has not revealed this to you"
Who is Jesus for you? At an opportune time Jesus tests his
disciples with a crucial question: Who
do men say that I am and who do you say that I am? He was widely
recognized in Israel as a mighty man of God, even being compared with the
greatest of the prophets, John the Baptist, Elijah, and Jeremiah. Peter, always
quick to respond, exclaimed that he was the
Christ, the Son of the living God. No
mortal being could have revealed this to Peter; but only God. Jesus then
confers on Peter authority to govern the church that Jesus would build, a
church that no powers would overcome.Jesus plays on Peter's name which is the same word for "rock" in both Aramaic and Greek. To call someone a "rock" is one of the greatest of compliments. The ancient rabbis had a saying that when God saw Abraham, he exclaimed: "I have discovered a rock to found the world upon". Through Abraham God established a nation for himself. Through faith Peter grasped who Jesus truly was. He was the first apostle to recognize Jesus as the Anointed One (Messiah and Christ) and the only begotten Son of God. The New Testament describes the church as a spiritual house or temple with each member joined together as living stones (see 1 Peter 2:5). Faith in Jesus Christ makes us into rocks or spiritual stones. The Lord Jesus tests each of us personally with the same question: Who do you say that I am?
"Lord Jesus, I profess and believe that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. You are my Lord and my Savior. Make my faith strong like Peter's and give me boldness to speak of you to others that they may come to know you personally as Lord and Savior and grow in the knowledge of your love".
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 The Mysterious Man |
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Memorial of Saint
Dominic, priest
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Matthew 16: 13-23
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
Messiah, 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." Then he strictly ordered his
disciples to tell no one that he was the Messiah. From that time on, Jesus
began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly
from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the
third day be raised. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him,
"God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you." He
turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to
me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."
Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe you want me to have faith in you, faith
that hearkens to your words without any second guessing. I hope in your
words, not relying solely on my own strength or reasoning. I love you. You
continue to astonish me by showing me that your ways are not my ways.
Petition: Lord, may I know you personally through faith and a generous
imitation of you.
1. Partial Knowledge: We acquire knowledge through experience. The
people in the Gospel attempted to know Jesus by identifying him with others.
Some said he was John the Baptist, who preached repentance and conversion
like the Lord. Some compared him to Jeremiah, whose prophecies involved a new
covenant that God would make with the house of Israel, one in which he would
place his law within them, and “write it upon their hearts.” “I will be their
God,” he said, “and they shall be my people.” (see Jeremiah 31:33). Some
heard of Jesus’ extraordinary powers, and mistook him for Elijah, who was
carried away in a chariot of fire. All of these figures match somehow with
Jesus. But they don’t reveal his full mystery. Am I content with a partial
knowledge of Our Lord, or do I ardently seek to know him inside and out?
2. A Mere Shadow: Jesus does resemble the prophets and
patriarchs of the Old Testament. He resembles them, but also supersedes them.
None of these holy men exhaust the dimensions of Christ’s person. They are
rays, he is the sun. The apostles know the Lord is more than Moses, Elijah,
Jeremiah or even John. “Who do you say that I am?” “You are the Christ, the
Son of God.” How wonderful it is to know by faith that Jesus is truly the Son
of God. Do I appreciate this wondrous gift of knowing my God, Creator and
Redeemer through the person of Jesus Christ? I can rest in him and find
strength, hope and joy in him. Do I rest in him?
3. It Finally Dawned on Him and he Saw
the Light: “Blessed are you,
Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my
heavenly Father.” The apostles had first compared Jesus to all of the holy
ones of Israel’s past, but soon saw that he surpassed them all. His virtue,
goodness and power rose higher and higher, until he shattered the paradigms
of measurement and comparison. He was not only quantitatively but
qualitatively, much, much more. The heavenly Father shed his light, and they
believed at last. I need to live in the light that has shone so brightly and
continues to shine. Christ tells us that he is the light of the world. He is
the way, the truth and the life. Do I treasure my faith in Jesus Christ,
guard it and strive to make it grow and bear much fruit?
Conversation with Christ: Lord, in my reading of the gospels I come to
admire you exceedingly, but only grace can allow me to believe. Only grace
can strengthen my faith and allow me to understand and see things the way you
do. Give me the gift of faith, so I might rise above those limits and come to
know you as my supreme good.
Resolution: Today I will pray for the gift of faith for
those who don’t believe.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 8
MATTHEW 16:13-23
(Numbers 20:1-13; Psalm 95)
MATTHEW 16:13-23
(Numbers 20:1-13; Psalm 95)
KEY VERSE: "I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven" (v 19).
READING: Jesus took his disciples to the area of Caesarea Philippi in northern Israel near Banias. In this area was the Cave of Pan (the Roman god Faunus, half-goat, half-man), and also a temple built by Herod to honor the Emperor Augustus. In this political and pagan territory Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Peter confessed that Jesus was God's Son, the "Messiah" (the "anointed one"). Jesus declared Peter to be "blessed" for announcing this revelation from God. Jesus in turn affirmed Peter's identity and mission by calling him the "rock," the foundation of his Church. It was the rock of Peter's faith that enabled him to follow Jesus to his own death as a martyr. Because of Peter's new position among the Twelve, he was given the "keys" to God's kingdom with the power to "bind" and "loose," to allow or forbid according to God's Law. The Pope is the Apostolic successor of Peter, the supreme teaching authority of the Church. When the Pope speaks on matters of faith and morals it is said that he speaks "ex cathedra" (from theChair of Peter) and this teaching is to be held by the universal Church. The powers of evil will not prevail over the Church.
REFLECTING: Do I respect the teaching authority of the Church?
PRAYING: Lord Jesus, help me to understand your presence in the Church.
"In essentials, unity, in doubtful
matters, liberty, and in all
things charity." (Pope John
XXIII, Ad Petri Cathedram, attributed
to St. Augustine)
Memorial of Dominic,
priest
Dominic was born of wealthy Spanish nobility of the house of Guzman. His mother was Blessed Joan of Aza who, when pregnant, had a vision that her unborn child was a dog who would set the world on fire with a torch carried in its mouth. A dog bearing a torch in its mouth became a symbol for the Dominicans. Dominic founded the Order of Friars Preachers (Dominicans) in 1215, a group who lived a simple, austere life, and an order of nuns dedicated to the care of young girls. Legend says that when Dominic became discouraged at the progress of his mission, he received a vision from Our Lady who showed him a wreath of roses. She told him to say the rosary daily, and teach it to all who would listen. Dominic is often credited with the invention of the rosary, but it predates him. There is also a story that Dominic received a vision of a beggar who, like Dominic, would do great things for the Church. Dominic met the beggar the next day, embraced him and said, "You are my companion and must walk with me. If we hold together, no earthly power can withstand us." The beggar was St. Francis of Assisi.
Into your hands, O Lord, I entrust my spirit
Live beyond ‘infectious ideologies’ and be neither liberal nor
conservative but rather men and women of true compassion (Ronald Rolheiser).St Paul’s words to the Colossians today are a message to the people of the 21st century. Having said that there is no room for distinctions between ‘Greek and Jew … slave and free’, he says we are to be ‘clothed in heartfelt compassion, in generosity and humility, gentleness and patience’.
Could this be a text for those struggling with the asylum seeker debate? Could it help us with questions of prejudice and unfair treatment? In an atmosphere of violence between nations, races and religions, the world needs reminders that we have been ‘called together in one body’. Paul says that we should ‘put on love, the perfect bond’ - surely the common bond of humanity our world needs. Let us pray for compassion.
August 8
St. Dominic
(1170-1221)
St. Dominic
(1170-1221)
If he hadn’t taken a trip with his bishop, Dominic would probably
have remained within the structure of contemplative life; after the trip, he
spent the rest of his life being a contemplative in active apostolic work.
Born in
old Castile, Spain, he was trained for the priesthood by a priest-uncle,
studied the arts and theology, and became a canon of the cathedral at Osma,
where there was an attempt to revive the apostolic common life described
in the Acts of the Apostles.
On a
journey through France with his bishop, he came face to face with the then
virulent Albigensian heresy at Languedoc. The Albigensians (Cathari, “the
pure”) held to two principles—one good, one evil—in the world. All matter is
evil—hence they denied the Incarnation and sacraments. On the same principle,
they abstained from procreation and took a minimum of food and drink. The inner
circle led what some people regarded as a heroic life of purity and asceticism
not shared by ordinary followers.
Dominic
sensed the need for the Church to combat this heresy, and was commissioned to
be part of the preaching crusade against it. He saw immediately why the
preaching was not succeeding: the ordinary people admired and followed the
ascetical heroes of the Albigenses. Understandably, they were not impressed by
the Catholic preachers who traveled with horse and retinues, stayed at the best
inns and had servants. Dominic therefore, with three Cistercians, began
itinerant preaching according to the gospel ideal. He continued this work for
10 years, being successful with the ordinary people but not with the leaders.
His
fellow preachers gradually became a community, and in 1215 he founded a
religious house at Toulouse, the beginning of the Order of Preachers
(Dominicans).
His
ideal, and that of his Order, was to link organically a life with God, study
and prayer in all forms, with a ministry of salvation to people by the word of
God. His ideal: contemplata tradere: “to pass on the fruits of
contemplation” or “to speak only of God or with God."
Stories:
Legend has it that
Dominic saw the sinful world threatened by God’s anger but saved by the
intercession of Mary, who pointed out to her Son two figures: One was Dominic
himself, the other a stranger. In church the next day he saw a ragged beggar
enter—the man in the vision. He went up to him, embraced him and said, “You are
my companion and must walk with me. If we hold together, no earthly power can
withstand us.” The beggar was Francis of Assisi. The meeting of the two
founders is commemorated twice a year, when on their respective feast days
Dominicans and Franciscans celebrate Mass in each other’s churches and
afterward sit at the same table “to eat the bread which for seven centuries has
never been wanting” (Butler’s Lives of the Saints).
Comment:
The Dominican ideal, like that of all religious communities, is for the imitation, not merely the admiration, of the rest of the Church. The effective combining of contemplation and activity is the vocation of truck driver Smith as well as theologian Aquinas. Acquired contemplation is the tranquil abiding in the presence of God, and is an integral part of any full human life. It must be the wellspring of all Christian activity.
The Dominican ideal, like that of all religious communities, is for the imitation, not merely the admiration, of the rest of the Church. The effective combining of contemplation and activity is the vocation of truck driver Smith as well as theologian Aquinas. Acquired contemplation is the tranquil abiding in the presence of God, and is an integral part of any full human life. It must be the wellspring of all Christian activity.
Patron Saint of:
Astronomers
Dominican Republic
Astronomers
Dominican Republic
August 8
Saint Mary MacKillop
1842-1909
Saint Mary MacKillop
1842-1909
If St.
Mary MacKillop were alive today, she would be a household name. It’s not that
she sought the limelight. On the contrary, she simply wanted to serve the poor
wherever she found them in her native Australia. But along the way, she
managed to arouse the ire of some rather powerful churchmen. One even
excommunicated her for a time.
Born in
Melbourne in 1842 to parents who had emigrated from Scotland, Mary grew up in a
family that faced constant financial struggles. As a young woman she was drawn
to religious life but could not find an existing order of Sisters that met her
needs. In 1860 she met Father Julian Woods, who became her spiritual director.
Together they founded a new community of women—the Sisters of St. Joseph of the
Sacred Heart, also known as the Josephite Sisters. Its members were to staff
schools, especially for poor children, as well as orphanages and do other works
of charity.
As the
congregation grew, so did Mary MacKillop’s problems. Her priest-friend proved
unreliable in many ways and his responsibilities for direction of the Sisters
were removed. Meanwhile, Mary had the support of some local bishops as she and
her Sisters went about their work. But the bishop in South Australia, aging and
relying on others for advice, briefly excommunicated Mary—charging her with
disobedience—and dispensed 50 of her Sisters from their vows. In truth, the
bishop’s quarrel was about power and who had authority over whom. He ultimately
rescinded his order of excommunication.
Mary
insisted that her congregation should be governed by an elected mother general
answerable to Rome, not to the local bishop. (There were also disputes about
whether or not the congregation could own property.) In the end, Rome proved to
be Mary’s best source of support. After a long wait, official approval of the
congregation—and how it was to be governed—came from Pope Leo XIII.
Despite
her struggles with Church authorities, Mary MacKillop and her Sisters were able
to offer social services that few, if any, government agencies in Australia
could. They served Protestants and Catholics alike. They worked among the
aborigines. They taught in schools and orphanages and served unmarried mothers.
Money,
actually the lack of it, was a constant worry. But the Sisters, who begged from
door to door, were bolstered by faith and by the conviction that their
struggles were opportunities to grow closer to God.
By the
time Mary was approaching the end of her life, the congregation was thriving.
She died in 1909 at the age of 67. Pope John Paul II beatified her in 1995. In
2010, Pope Benedict XVI canonized her, making her Australia’s first saint. Her
feast day is August 8.
Quote:
In 1890, Sister Mary MacKillop said, “ Have courage no matter what your crosses are”
In 1890, Sister Mary MacKillop said, “ Have courage no matter what your crosses are”
LECTIO: MATTHEW
16,13-23
Lectio:
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Father of everlasting goodness,
our origin and guide,
be close to us
and hear the prayers of all who praise you.
Forgive our sins and restore us to life.
Keep us safe in your love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
our origin and guide,
be close to us
and hear the prayers of all who praise you.
Forgive our sins and restore us to life.
Keep us safe in your love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading
Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this
question to his disciples, 'Who do people say the Son of man is?'
And they said, 'Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.' 'But you,' he said, 'who do you say I am?' Then Simon Peter spoke up and said, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'
Jesus replied, 'Simon son of Jonah, you are a blessed man! Because it was no human agency that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my community. And the gates of the underworld can never overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of Heaven: whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.' Then he gave the disciples strict orders not to say to anyone that he was the Christ. From then onwards Jesus began to make it clear to his disciples that he was destined to go to Jerusalem and suffer grievously at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death and to be raised up on the third day. Then, taking him aside, Peter started to rebuke him. 'Heaven preserve you, Lord,' he said, 'this must not happen to you.' But he turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because you are thinking not as God thinks but as human beings do.'
And they said, 'Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.' 'But you,' he said, 'who do you say I am?' Then Simon Peter spoke up and said, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'
Jesus replied, 'Simon son of Jonah, you are a blessed man! Because it was no human agency that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my community. And the gates of the underworld can never overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of Heaven: whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.' Then he gave the disciples strict orders not to say to anyone that he was the Christ. From then onwards Jesus began to make it clear to his disciples that he was destined to go to Jerusalem and suffer grievously at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death and to be raised up on the third day. Then, taking him aside, Peter started to rebuke him. 'Heaven preserve you, Lord,' he said, 'this must not happen to you.' But he turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because you are thinking not as God thinks but as human beings do.'
3) Reflection
• We are now in the narrative part between the Discourse of the
Parables (Mt 13) and the discourse of the Community (Mt 18). In these narrative
parts which link together the five Discourses, Matthew usually follows the
sequence of the Gospel of Mark. Once in a while, he gives other information,
also known by Luke. And here and there, he quotes texts which appear only in
the Gospel of Matthew, like for example the conversation between Jesus and
Peter, in today’s Gospel. This text has different interpretations and even
opposed ones in the diverse Christian Churches.
• At that time, the communities fostered a very strong affective bond of union with the leaders who had given origin to the community. For example, the communities of Antioch in Syria, fostered their relationship with Peter. Those of Greece, with Paul. Some communities of Asia, with the Beloved disciple and others with the person of John of the Apocalypse. An identification with these leaders to whom they owed their origin helped the communities to foster better their identity and spirituality. But this could also be a reason for dispute, like in the case of the community of Corinth (1 Co 1,11-12).
• Matthew 16, 13-16: The opinions of the people and of the Disciples concerning Jesus. Jesus asks the opinion of the people concerning his person, the Son of Man. The responses are varied: John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, one of the Prophets. When Jesus asks the opinion of the Disciples, Peter becomes the spokesman and says: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!” The response is not a new one. Before, the Disciples had said the same thing (Mt 14, 33). In John’s Gospel, the same profession of faith is made by Martha (Jn 11,27). It means that the prophecies of the Old Testament are realized in Jesus.
• Matthew 16, 17: The response of Jesus to Peter: "Blessed are you, Simon!”Jesus proclaims Peter “Blessed”, because he has received a revelation from the Father. Here, also, the response of Jesus is not new. Before, Jesus had praised the Father because he had revealed the Son to the little ones and not to the wise (Mt 11, 25-27) and had made the same proclamation of joy to the Disciples who were seeing and hearing new things which, before them, nobody knew nor had heard (Mt 13, 16).
• Matthew 16, 18-20: The attributions of Peter: To be rock and to receive the keys of the Kingdom.
(a) To be rock: Peter has to be Rock that is the stable basis for the Church in such a way that it can resist against the gates of hell. With these words which Jesus addressed to Peter, Matthew encourages the persecuted community of Syria and Palestine who see in Peter the leader who belongs to their origin. In spite of the persecution and the weakness, the community has a firm basis, guaranteed by the word of Jesus. The function of being rock based on faith evokes the word of God to the people in exile: “Listen to me you who pursue saving justice, you who seek Yahweh; consider the rock (pietra) from which you were hewn, the quarry from which you were dug; consider Abraham your father, and Sarah who gave you birth. When I called him, he was the only one, but I blessed him and made him numerous” (Is 51, 1-2). This indicates that a new beginning of the People of God is with Peter.
(b) The keys of the Kingdom: Peter receives the keys of the Kingdom. The same power of binding and loosing is also given to the communities (Mt 18, 18) and to the other disciples (Jn 20, 23). One of the points in which the Gospel of Matthew insists more is reconciliation and pardon. It is one of the more important tasks of coordinators of the communities. By imitating Peter, they should bind and loosen, that is, do in such a way that there is reconciliation and reciprocal acceptance, construction of fraternity, even up to seventy times (Mt 18, 22).
• Matthew 16, 21-22: Jesus completes what was missing in Peter’s response, and Peter reacts. Jesus begins saying: “that he had to go to Jerusalem and suffer very much on the part of the Elders, of the high priests and of the Scribes, and would be killed and on the third day, he would rise from the dead”. Saying that he had to go and would be killed, or that it was necessary to suffer, he indicated that suffering had been foreseen by the prophecies. The way of the Messiah is not only one of triumph and glory, but also one of suffering and of the cross! If Peter accepts Jesus as the Messiah and son of God, he has to accept him also as Messiah servant who will be killed. But Peter does not accept the correction of Jesus and tries to draw him away. Taking Jesus aside, he began to rebuke him: Heaven preserve you, Lord, this must not happen to you!”
• Matthew 16, 23: the response of Jesus to Peter: stumbling stone. The response of Jesus is surprising. Peter wanted to direct Jesus taking the initiative. Jesus reacts: “Get behind me, Satan. You are an obstacle in my path, because you are thinking not as God thinks but as human beings do”. Peter has to follow Jesus, and not the contrary. Jesus is the one who gives the directions. Satan is the one who draws persons away from the road traced by Jesus. Once again the expression rock – pietra - appears, but now in the contrary sense. Peter, at one time is the supporting rock, at other times the stumbling rock! The communities at the time of Matthew were like that, characterized by ambiguity. This is the way we all are, according to what John Paul II said, that the Papacy itself, was characterized by the same ambiguity of Peter: rock of support for the faith and stumbling rock in the faith.
• At that time, the communities fostered a very strong affective bond of union with the leaders who had given origin to the community. For example, the communities of Antioch in Syria, fostered their relationship with Peter. Those of Greece, with Paul. Some communities of Asia, with the Beloved disciple and others with the person of John of the Apocalypse. An identification with these leaders to whom they owed their origin helped the communities to foster better their identity and spirituality. But this could also be a reason for dispute, like in the case of the community of Corinth (1 Co 1,11-12).
• Matthew 16, 13-16: The opinions of the people and of the Disciples concerning Jesus. Jesus asks the opinion of the people concerning his person, the Son of Man. The responses are varied: John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, one of the Prophets. When Jesus asks the opinion of the Disciples, Peter becomes the spokesman and says: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!” The response is not a new one. Before, the Disciples had said the same thing (Mt 14, 33). In John’s Gospel, the same profession of faith is made by Martha (Jn 11,27). It means that the prophecies of the Old Testament are realized in Jesus.
• Matthew 16, 17: The response of Jesus to Peter: "Blessed are you, Simon!”Jesus proclaims Peter “Blessed”, because he has received a revelation from the Father. Here, also, the response of Jesus is not new. Before, Jesus had praised the Father because he had revealed the Son to the little ones and not to the wise (Mt 11, 25-27) and had made the same proclamation of joy to the Disciples who were seeing and hearing new things which, before them, nobody knew nor had heard (Mt 13, 16).
• Matthew 16, 18-20: The attributions of Peter: To be rock and to receive the keys of the Kingdom.
(a) To be rock: Peter has to be Rock that is the stable basis for the Church in such a way that it can resist against the gates of hell. With these words which Jesus addressed to Peter, Matthew encourages the persecuted community of Syria and Palestine who see in Peter the leader who belongs to their origin. In spite of the persecution and the weakness, the community has a firm basis, guaranteed by the word of Jesus. The function of being rock based on faith evokes the word of God to the people in exile: “Listen to me you who pursue saving justice, you who seek Yahweh; consider the rock (pietra) from which you were hewn, the quarry from which you were dug; consider Abraham your father, and Sarah who gave you birth. When I called him, he was the only one, but I blessed him and made him numerous” (Is 51, 1-2). This indicates that a new beginning of the People of God is with Peter.
(b) The keys of the Kingdom: Peter receives the keys of the Kingdom. The same power of binding and loosing is also given to the communities (Mt 18, 18) and to the other disciples (Jn 20, 23). One of the points in which the Gospel of Matthew insists more is reconciliation and pardon. It is one of the more important tasks of coordinators of the communities. By imitating Peter, they should bind and loosen, that is, do in such a way that there is reconciliation and reciprocal acceptance, construction of fraternity, even up to seventy times (Mt 18, 22).
• Matthew 16, 21-22: Jesus completes what was missing in Peter’s response, and Peter reacts. Jesus begins saying: “that he had to go to Jerusalem and suffer very much on the part of the Elders, of the high priests and of the Scribes, and would be killed and on the third day, he would rise from the dead”. Saying that he had to go and would be killed, or that it was necessary to suffer, he indicated that suffering had been foreseen by the prophecies. The way of the Messiah is not only one of triumph and glory, but also one of suffering and of the cross! If Peter accepts Jesus as the Messiah and son of God, he has to accept him also as Messiah servant who will be killed. But Peter does not accept the correction of Jesus and tries to draw him away. Taking Jesus aside, he began to rebuke him: Heaven preserve you, Lord, this must not happen to you!”
• Matthew 16, 23: the response of Jesus to Peter: stumbling stone. The response of Jesus is surprising. Peter wanted to direct Jesus taking the initiative. Jesus reacts: “Get behind me, Satan. You are an obstacle in my path, because you are thinking not as God thinks but as human beings do”. Peter has to follow Jesus, and not the contrary. Jesus is the one who gives the directions. Satan is the one who draws persons away from the road traced by Jesus. Once again the expression rock – pietra - appears, but now in the contrary sense. Peter, at one time is the supporting rock, at other times the stumbling rock! The communities at the time of Matthew were like that, characterized by ambiguity. This is the way we all are, according to what John Paul II said, that the Papacy itself, was characterized by the same ambiguity of Peter: rock of support for the faith and stumbling rock in the faith.
4) Personal questions
• Which are the opinions about Jesus which exist in our
community? These differences in the way of living and of expressing faith, do
they enrich the community or do they render the way more difficult?
• What type of rock is our community? Which is the mission for us?
• What type of rock is our community? Which is the mission for us?
5) Concluding Prayer
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
sustain in me a generous spirit.
I shall teach the wicked your paths,
and sinners will return to you. (Ps 51, 12-13)
sustain in me a generous spirit.
I shall teach the wicked your paths,
and sinners will return to you. (Ps 51, 12-13)
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