SUNDAY MASS REFLECTION

Date: August 27, 2023

Minister/Presider: Rev. Fr. Abc Efd

Parish/BEC: St. Abrs Example Parish

Matthew 16:13-20

Jesus came to Caesarea Philippi. He asked his disciples, "What do people say of the Son of Man? Who do
they say I am?" They said, "For some of them you are John the Baptist, for others Elijah or Jeremiah or
one of the prophets."
Jesus asked them, "But you, who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the
living God." Jesus replied, "It is well for you, Simon Barjona, for it is not flesh or blood that has revealed
this to you but my Father in heaven.
"And now I say to you: You are Peter (or Rock) and on this rock I will build my Church; and never will
the powers of death overcome it.
"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,
and what you unbind on earth shall be unbound in heaven."
Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

---REFLECTION---
In today’s gospel, Jesus begins a significant conversation with his disciples at Caesarea Philippi, a pagan
region, and this made the conversation more meaningful. He wondered about the Son of Man and who
He was. Peter declares that Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God. Jesus praises God for revealing this
to His disciple and tells him that such bold faith will lead the Church to defeat civilization and Hades
itself then Jesus also tells Peter that He will give him authority to act on behalf of kingdom of heaven.
When Jesus asked them: But who do you say that I am?
The most outspoken disciple, Simon Peter, exclaimed: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God".
Peter believed that Jesus was more than a great teacher and miracle worker. He believed that Jesus was
the long-awaited Messiah.
I believe that Simon Peter was nicknamed for his stubborn personality and hardheadedness, as the
“rock”. The advantage of being obstinate is that even if it took Peter a long time to "get" an idea, once
he did, it would not be readily detached from his belief or purpose. Jesus went on to say, "I will build My
church on this rock of bold conviction." Convictions like Peter's would be the foundation of Jesus'
church.
This confession, “You are the Messiah the Son of the Living God” is the heart of true faith. It is the rock
that is the foundation of the church. The confession that He is Messiah and the Son of the living God is
the key to heaven. It binds hearts to eternity and it saves hearts from the gates of Hades. “Jesus is
Messiah”. This is the message of Peter, all the other apostles, the early church, and the church today.
This is also the mission of the Church.
Peter is praised today within the church for his belief and faith in Jesus as the Son of the living God. And
in this gospel, Jesus meant that the foundation of the Church was to be this faith. May we truly have
faith in Jesus as the Son of the living God like Peter.