Peter’s Declaration About Jesus

The Sunday Gospel [August 21, 2011]

Matthew 16:13-20

13. Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples,
"Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14.They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15. He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16. Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17.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.18. 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.18.I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. 19. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." 20. Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

Reflection

God is always with us and in us. We can explore the thoughts of the eternal, immortal, invisible, Almighty Creator!

Today’s Gospel illustrates this point when Peter calls Jesus the Messiah. Immediately, Jesus praises him – but not for his powers of deduction. “Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.” (Matthew 16:17). Jesus knew that Peter had to have this gift from God!

That is the key word: receive. Revelation is a gift. It isn’t something we can produce on our own. It’s a gift that God wants us to receive with our open hearts and quiet minds. It’s God’s words coming alive in our hearts and filling us with his wisdom, his insights, and his peace.

Today at Mass, try to focus your heart on Jesus. Quiet your mind and tell Jesus that you want to receive whatever he wants to give you. Put your worries and cares aside and simply listen. You’ll know that what you heard is from God when your own heart starts echoing Paul’s prayer: To God be glory forever!

Source: The Reflection is from Bro. Abel Navarro (you can visit his blog at http://myblogabelnavarro-abel.blogspot.com/).