First reading Isaiah 22:19-23
I place the key of the House of David on my servant’s shoulder
Thus says the Lord of Hosts to Shebna, the master of the palace:
I dismiss you from your office,
I remove you from your post,
and the same day I call on my servant
Eliakim son of Hilkiah.
I invest him with your robe,
gird him with your sash,
entrust him with your authority;
and he shall be a father
to the inhabitants of Jerusalem
and to the House of Judah.
I place the key of the House of David
on his shoulder;
should he open, no one shall close,
should he close, no one shall open.
I drive him like a peg
into a firm place;
he will become a throne of glory
for his father’s house.
Responsorial Psalm 137(138):1-3,6,8
Second reading Romans 11:33-36
All that exists comes from him; all is by him and from him.
How rich are the depths of God – how deep his wisdom and knowledge – and how impossible to penetrate his motives or understand his methods! Who could ever know the mind of the Lord? Who could ever be his counsellor? Who could ever give him anything or lend him anything? All that exists comes from him; all is by him and for him. To him be glory for ever! Amen.
Gospel Matthew 16:13-20
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.’ Then he gave the disciples strict orders not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
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Who do you say I am?
Jesus asks His disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They reply with general answers such as, “John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” Then He moves from public opinion to personal faith and asks, “Who do you say I am?” Peter responds, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” His answer is not a guess; it comes from a deep, personal relationship with Jesus. Peter has walked alongside Him, heard His voice, observed His ways of loving, and followed Him closely.
Today, Jesus asks us the same question, “Who do YOU say I am?” Jesus does not want us to list the opinions of others or rely on information from the Internet and books. He wants our personal response that flows from our friendship with Him. Friendship with Jesus is not a one-time decision but a lifelong journey that deepens over time. Jesus is our Friend who always comes to meet us in the Scripture, in the Eucharist, in the daily events of life, through the love of others, in the silence of our hearts. We are called to never get tired of seeking an encounter with Him so that we can love Him with greater freedom and joy.
Reflective question:
What step will I take today to know and love Jesus a little more?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD
