Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A. Is. 22:19-23; Rom. 11:33-36; Matt.16:13-20
The question Jesus asks us today dear friends is straight to the point. ‘Who do you say I am?’ But the answer isn’t that simple. In today’s first reading, Shebna didn’t trust God enough to make a “convinced confession” in Him. He was more interested in human aid from Egypt and Assyria. As current steward of the royal household, a position of significant authority and responsibility, he was corrupt and self-serving, misusing his power for personal gain. God, through the prophet Isaiah, denounces Shebna’s behaviour and declares that He will remove him from his position, and replace him with Eliakim, son of Hilkiah, who was described as a man of integrity, honour, and wisdom.
In the Gospel reading, Peter’s confession was based on divine revelation. His place was thus assured. Because of his confession in the authority of Jesus as the anointed Son of the Living God, he was called ‘Cephas’ and ‘Petros’ (rock). Like Eliakim, Peter is given power and authority to bind and to lose; he is given the keys to the master’s house, to shut and to open… Friends, what kind of confession do we make today? Is it the kind that is rooted on Christ the solid rock? The kind that binds and loosens? The kind that shuts and opens doors? The kind that overpowers earthly principalities and powers; or the kind that is so carnal and earthly that its foundation can only be on sand?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, may my faith be rooted only in You and not on wordly things. Amen.
Good morning dear; God bless your Sunday ahead!
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