Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear friends in Christ
The Gospel for this Sunday brings us to one of the most important moments in the life of the Apostles. At Cæsarea Philippi, Our Lord asks a question which is addressed not only to Peter and the Twelve, but to every Christian in every generation: “Who do you say that I am?”
There were many opinions about Jesus. Some thought that He was John the Baptist, others Elijah, or one of the prophets. But Peter gives the answer which lies at the heart of our Christian faith: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This is more than an expression of admiration for Jesus. Peter is proclaiming who Jesus truly is. He is the Messiah, the Son of God, the Saviour of the world. And Our Lord tells Peter that this faith has not come from human wisdom alone: “flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.”
Then comes that extraordinary promise: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church.” From that moment, Peter receives a unique ministry of service within the Church. The keys of the Kingdom are entrusted to him, and the Church is given the assurance that, despite the weakness of her human members, the powers of death will never overcome her.
In his first Mass with the Cardinals after his election, our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV reflected precisely upon this Gospel and upon the mystery of succeeding the Apostle Peter. He spoke of receiving the treasure of the Faith so that he might be its “faithful administrator” for the good of the whole Church. The Pope's ministry reminds us that the Church does not belong to any particular Pope, priest, generation or culture. The Church belongs to Christ. The Pope is called to serve the faith which Peter confessed: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Pope Leo has also reminded us that the Petrine ministry is fundamentally a ministry of service and charity. At the beginning of his Petrine ministry, he spoke of the Church's authority as being rooted not in worldly power but in the self-giving love of Christ.
There is great encouragement here for all of us. We do not have to be perfect before Christ can use us. Peter was impulsive, fearful and at times deeply mistaken. Yet the Lord did not abandon him. He purified his faith, strengthened him through grace, and made him the shepherd of His Church. May we have the grace of Peter to make that profession of faith with conviction. And may we pray especially for Pope Leo, that the Lord will strengthen him in his Petrine ministry, preserve him in the faith, and grant him wisdom, courage and holiness as he leads the Church.
And may Our Lady, Mother of the Church, obtain for us the grace to remain faithful to her Son and united in the one faith handed down from the Apostles. “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” That is the confession upon which the Church stands, and it is the confession which leads us, ultimately, to eternal life. God bless you!
Msgr Kevin Hale