Daily Readings - Sun Aug 27 2023
Isaiah
15This is what the Lord, the LORD Almighty, says: "Go, say to this steward, to Shebna, who is in charge of the palace:19I will depose you from your office, and you will be ousted from your position.20"In that day I will summon my servant, Eliakim son of Hilkiah.21I will clothe him with your robe and fasten your sash around him and hand your authority over to him. He will be a father to those who live in Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.22I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.23I will drive him like a peg into a firm place; he will be a seat of honor for the house of his father.
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
The readings today invite us to reflect on the mystery of God’s wisdom and the call to faithful leadership in His plan of salvation. In the first reading from Isaiah, we encounter a dramatic shift in authority. Shebna, who had been entrusted with the care of the temple, is removed from his position, and Eliakim is appointed in his place. Eliakim is given the key of the house of David, symbolizing his new role as a steward of God’s people. This passage reminds us that all authority comes from God and that with it comes great responsibility to serve and lead with integrity.
The second reading from Romans takes us deeper into the mystery of God’s wisdom. St. Paul marvels at the incomprehensibility of God’s judgments and ways, emphasizing that all things come from Him, through Him, and for Him. This passage calls us to humility and trust in the face of life’s uncertainties. It reminds us that while we may not always understand God’s plan, we can rely on His infinite wisdom and love.
In the Gospel, we witness a pivotal moment in the life of Jesus and His disciples. When Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter responds with a confession of faith, declaring Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus praises Peter for this gift of faith, which comes not from human understanding but from the Father in heaven. He then entrusts Peter with the keys of the kingdom, symbolizing the authority to lead and serve the Church. This passage reminds us that faith is a gift, and with it comes the responsibility to build up the Body of Christ.
These readings challenge us to live out our faith with courage and humility. Like Eliakim, we are called to serve others with integrity, trusting in God’s wisdom even when the path is unclear. Like Peter, we are called to profess our faith boldly and to use the gifts and authority we have been given to serve the Church and the world. May we, like the saints, allow ourselves to be instruments of God’s plan, trusting in His wisdom and living out our faith in love and service.