First reading 1 Peter 5:1-4
Watch over the flock, not simply as a duty but gladly
Now I have something to tell your elders: I am an elder myself, and a witness to the sufferings of Christ, and with you I have a share in the glory that is to be revealed. Be the shepherds of the flock of God that is entrusted to you: watch over it, not simply as a duty but gladly, because God wants it; not for sordid money, but because you are eager to do it. Never be a dictator over any group that is put in your charge, but be an example that the whole flock can follow. When the chief shepherd appears, you will be given the crown of unfading glory.
Responsorial Psalm 22(23)
The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.
The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me,
to revive my drooping spirit.
The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me along the right path;
he is true to his name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness
no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff;
with these you give me comfort.
The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.
You have prepared a banquet for me
in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
my cup is overflowing.
The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.
Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell
for ever and ever.
The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.
Gospel Matthew 16:13-19
You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church
When 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 he is 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, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood 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 Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’
_______________________________________________
The imperfect disciple
As Jesus began His ministry, Peter was one of the first disciples to leave his fishing profession and follow Him. Jesus chose Peter, together with John and James, to be present during the Transfiguration and in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was not only a disciple but a close friend of the Master. In today’s gospel, Jesus offers Peter to be the rock of the living Church, imperfect as He was. Peter’s love for Jesus was authentic, but at the same time, he was weak and cowardly. Out of fear of losing his life, he denied his friend. Nevertheless, his repentance strengthened his love for Jesus.
By virtue of our Baptism, we are all invited to follow in the footsteps of our Master, with the mission of being witnesses of His love. To stand firm in our faith, we need to strengthen our friendship with Jesus by nurturing our relationship with Him and remaining faithful to His words. In this way, when we fail, His love will be stronger in us than our weakness, and He will bring us back to Him.
Reflective question:
How is my friendship with Jesus?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.
