Daily Readings - Sun Aug 27 2017
Romans
33Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!34"For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?"35"Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?"36For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Matthew
13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"14And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."15He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"16Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."17And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."20Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the profound mystery of God's wisdom and the pivotal moment of faith in Jesus Christ. The Second Reading from Romans 11:33-36 is a hymn to God's inscrutable wisdom, emphasizing that His ways are beyond human comprehension. This passage, part of Paul's letter discussing the inclusion of Gentiles in God's plan, reminds us to approach life with humility, recognizing the depth of God's wisdom that surpasses our understanding.
The Gospel from Matthew 16:13-20 presents a turning point in Jesus' ministry. When Jesus asks His disciples who they believe Him to be, Peter's confession, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God," stands out as a beacon of faith. This moment is not just a personal revelation but a foundational event for the Church. Jesus establishes Peter as the rock upon which the Church is built, entrusting him with the keys to the kingdom, symbolizing authority and responsibility. This passage underscores the importance of faith in understanding God's plan and our role within it.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are reminded to embrace the mystery of God's plan with humility and trust. Like Peter, our faith is a gift that allows us to see beyond the surface and participate in God's work. In our daily lives, this means living with faith, trusting in God's providence, and actively contributing to the Church's mission. The moral lesson here is the call to humility and active faith, recognizing that our understanding is limited, but our trust in God's plan is limitless. Let us strive to live out our faith with courage and trust, just as Peter did, and find our place in the ongoing story of God's Church.