Daily Readings - Sun Aug 27 2017
Romans
33Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!34"Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"35"Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?"36For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Matthew
13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"14They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."15"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."17Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."20Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone 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.