Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19
When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi
he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter said in reply,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
The Mass intention is for Betty O’Shea RIP.
Reflection:
I am a ‘Paul VI baby’ because I was born during his pontificate. Among his accomplishments were to reopen Vatican Council II with priorities on a better understanding of the Catholic Church, Church reforms, advancing the unity of Christians, and dialogue with the world. Such priorities have turned the Church upside down. Gone were the days when Catholics and their siblings from other Christian denominations such as the Orthodox and Protestants were isolated from one another. Pope Paul VI also sought a dialogue with the world – Christians and non-Christians alike, everyone! A Euro-centric Church has become a Church of the world! In his visit to the Philippines in 1970, it was said that after seeing a poor family in their home, he as badly shaken. In his encyclical “Populorum Progressio”, he called for an economy that serves mankind and not a privileged few. It also discussed people’s right to just wages, security of employment, joining a union, etc.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus confirms Peter’s primacy among the Apostles and building the Church upon the rock of this fisherman from Galilee. Down through the ages, the Lord confirms this primacy on Peter’s successors. Through his ministry, St Paul VI echoed what Peter said about Jesus: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
May our own ministry continue to make such a bold profession of faith.
- How can your ministry or vocation reveal Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God?
- How can you contribute to a healthy dialogue among people of various faiths and cultures?
- How do you support the Pope’s ministry?
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. Through the prayers and example of St Paul VI, empower the Church in looking for the least, the last, and the lost. Amen.
(Pietro)
Blessed Paul VI will be canonized a saint in late October, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, March 6. Pope Paul VI is seen in this portrait made in early 1969. (CNS photo) See SAINT-PAULVI-PAROLIN March 6, 2018.