Daily Readings - Thu Aug 05 2021
Numbers
1In the first month the whole Israelite community arrived at the Desert of Zin, and they stayed at Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried.2Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron.3They quarreled with Moses and said, "If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the LORD!4Why did you bring the LORD's community into this desert, that we and our livestock should die here?5Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!"6Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the LORD appeared to them.7The LORD said to Moses,8"Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink."9So Moses took the staff from the LORD's presence, just as he commanded him.10He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, "Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?"11Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.12But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them."13These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD and where he showed himself holy among them.
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.21From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.22Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!"23Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on faith, trust, and the challenges of following God’s plan. In the first reading from Numbers, the Israelites find themselves in the wilderness, struggling with thirst and doubt. Despite the miracles they had witnessed, they grumble against Moses and Aaron, questioning God’s provision. Moses, in a moment of weakness, strikes the rock to bring forth water, but his lack of full trust in God’s instructions means he will not enter the Promised Land. This story reminds us that faith is not just about believing in God’s existence but trusting in his plan, even when the path is unclear.
In the Gospel, Jesus takes his disciples to a pivotal moment of revelation. He asks them who people think he is, and Peter, inspired by God, confesses that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus praises Peter for this faith, calling him the rock upon which he will build his Church. Yet, when Jesus begins to speak of his suffering and death, Peter rebels, unable to accept the idea of a Messiah who must endure pain and defeat. Jesus gently rebukes him, reminding him that true faith requires surrendering our own understanding and embracing God’s will, even when it leads to the cross.
These readings challenge us to examine our own faith. Like the Israelites, we often face moments of doubt and impatience, questioning God’s plan when things don’t go as we expect. Like Peter, we may have moments of great insight and courage, only to falter when the road ahead seems difficult. The moral lesson is clear: faith is not about avoiding struggles but trusting in God’s goodness and wisdom, even when the journey is hard. Let us ask for the grace to trust in God’s plan, to follow him faithfully, and to embrace the cross as a part of our own journey toward eternal life.