Thursday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 410
Lectionary: 410
The days are
coming, says the LORD,
when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel
and the house of Judah.
It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers:
the day I took them by the hand
to lead them forth from the land of Egypt;
for they broke my covenant,
and I had to show myself their master, says the LORD.
But this is the covenant that I will make
with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD.
I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts;
I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
No longer will they have need to teach their friends and relatives
how to know the LORD.
All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the LORD,
for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more.
when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel
and the house of Judah.
It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers:
the day I took them by the hand
to lead them forth from the land of Egypt;
for they broke my covenant,
and I had to show myself their master, says the LORD.
But this is the covenant that I will make
with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD.
I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts;
I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
No longer will they have need to teach their friends and relatives
how to know the LORD.
All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the LORD,
for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more.
Responsorial Psalm PS 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19
R. (12a) Create a clean heart in me, O God.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners shall return to you.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.
For you are not pleased with sacrifices;
should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.
A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners shall return to you.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.
For you are not pleased with sacrifices;
should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.
Gospel MT 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 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 theAnointed 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".
 The Mysterious Man |
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August 7, 2014. Thursday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary
Time
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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 7, MATTHEW 16:13-23
(Jeremiah 31:31-34:1-13; Psalm 51)
(Jeremiah 31:31-34:1-13; Psalm 51)
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 the Chair 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, attributed to St. Augustine)
Optional Memorial of Sixtus II, pope and
martyr, and companions
Sixtus II was pope from 257 to 258, following Stephen I as bishop of Rome. Sixtus was more conciliatory than his predecessor, who had broken off relations with St. Cyprian over the question of whether lapsed Christians should be re-baptized before being allowed back into the Church. Sixtus was willing to let bishops decide what to do in their own areas and accepted both practices. Sixtus restored the relations with the African and Eastern churches, which had been broken off by his predecessor on the question of heretical baptism. In the persecutions under Emperor Valerian I in 258, numerous priests and bishops were put to death. Pope Sixtus II was one of the first victims of this persecution. He was captured by soldiers while giving a sermon and perhaps beheaded right there, along with four deacons. He was buried in the same catacomb where he had been celebrating Mass when he was arrested. He died as a martyr.
Optional Memorial of Cajetan, priest
Cajetan was born in 1480 at Vicenza, Italy, and was a Venetian nobleman, Gaetano dei Conti di Tiene. He studied law in Padua, and was offered governing posts, but turned them down for a religious vocation. In 1522, Cajetan founded a hospital in Venice for victims of incurable illness. Cajetan was aware of the need of reformation in the Church, and felt called to enter a religious community to serve the sick and poor. On 3 May 1524, with three others, including John Peter Caraffa, who later became Pope Paul IV, Cajetan formed the Congregation of Clerks Regular at Rome (Theatines), with the mission of fostering the Church's mission and reviving the spirit and zeal of the clergy. Cajetan founded a bank to help the poor and offered an alternative to usurers (loan sharks); it later became the Bank of Naples. Cajetan died in 1547 at Naples, Italy. He was canonized 1671 by Pope Clement X
Create a clean heart in me, O God
Create a clean heart in me, O God.Today’s gospel helps us consider our beliefs: how they are formed and what influences us. The disciples speak of the many ways people at the time understood the ‘Son of Man’. When Jesus asks for their own opinions, Simon Peter says ‘You are the Christ!’ Jesus comments that it was his Father who gave Peter this knowledge. Peter has gained this understanding through faith. He was not swayed by public opinion or gossip. On the basis of his revealed faith, Jesus chose him as a leader. We too can learn to rely on the Spirit who moves within us and guides us in making important decisions. Let us pray that we will recognise that guidance throughout our lives
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
The Gift of Consolation
First of all, God can speak to us by giving us what spiritual
writers call consolation. Through consolation, he touches the soul and allows
it to be comforted and strengthened by a felt awareness of His love, His
presence, His goodness, His power, and His beauty.
August
7
St. Cajetan
(1480-1557)
St. Cajetan
(1480-1557)
Like most of us, Cajetan seemed headed for an “ordinary”
life—first as a lawyer, then as a priest engaged in the work of the Roman
Curia.
His life
took a characteristic turn when he joined the Oratory of Divine Love in Rome, a
group devoted to piety and charity, shortly after his ordination at 36. When he
was 42 he founded a hospital for incurables at Venice. At Vicenza,
he joined a “disreputable” religious community that consisted only of men
of the lowest stations of life—and was roundly censured by his friends, who
thought his action was a reflection on his family. He sought out the sick and
poor of the town and served them.
The
greatest need of the time was the reformation of a Church that was “sick in
head and members.” Cajetan and three friends decided that the best road to
reformation lay in reviving the spirit and zeal of the clergy. (One of them
later became Paul IV.) Together they founded a congregation known as the
Theatines (from Teate [Chieti] where their first superior-bishop had his
see). They managed to escape to Venice after their house in Rome was wrecked
when Emperor Charles V’s troops sacked Rome in 1527. The Theatines were
outstanding among the Catholic reform movements that took shape before the
Protestant Reformation. He founded a monte de pieta (“mountain
[or fund] of piety”) in Naples—one of many charitable, nonprofit credit
organizations that lent money on the security of pawned objects. The purpose
was to help the poor and protect them against usurers. Cajetan’s little organization
ultimately became the Bank of Naples, with great changes in policy.
Stories:
When
Cajetan was sent to establish a house of his congregation in Naples, a count
tried to prevail upon him to accept an estate in lands. He refused. The count
pointed out that he would need the money, for the people of Naples were not as
generous as the people of Venice. “That may be true,” replied Cajetan, “but God
is the same in both cities.”
Comment:
If Vatican II had been summarily stopped after its first session in 1962, many Catholics would have felt that a great blow had been dealt to the growth of the Church. Cajetan had the same feeling about the Council of Trent (1545-63). But, as he said, God is the same in Naples as in Venice, with or without Trent or Vatican II. We open ourselves to God’s power in whatever circumstances we find ourselves, and God’s will is done. God’s standards of success differ from ours.
If Vatican II had been summarily stopped after its first session in 1962, many Catholics would have felt that a great blow had been dealt to the growth of the Church. Cajetan had the same feeling about the Council of Trent (1545-63). But, as he said, God is the same in Naples as in Venice, with or without Trent or Vatican II. We open ourselves to God’s power in whatever circumstances we find ourselves, and God’s will is done. God’s standards of success differ from ours.
LECTIO DIVINA:
MATTHEW 16,13-23
Lectio:
Thursday, August 7, 2014
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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