Reflection on the Daily Gospel - Mt 16:13-20
Peter was the first of the Apostles to receive two particularly great graces. Namely, he was the first disciple who believed in the divinity of Jesus and confessed his faith in the presence of the other disciples. He, too, was the first of the Apostles to meet him after his resurrection (cf. Lk 24:34). Let us ask rhetorically: can it be a minor fact in God's plan of salvation that it is precisely Peter who is the first witness of these two most fundamental truths of the Christian faith?
Let us dwell a little on Peter's first testimony: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (cf. Mt 16:16). Peter was the first to recognize the truth that the Lord Jesus is the Messiah and the Son of God. It was then that he heard the words: ", 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."
Obviously, Peter's "rockiness" would make no sense without reference to the only Rock, which is Jesus Christ. Just as it would make no sense to call some people pastors in the Church without reference to the one Shepherd, Jesus Christ. And it would make no sense to call God's friends saints without reference to the Holy One in the whole sense and origin.
It is also worth noting how clearly Peter fulfilled the function of the head of the Apostles after the departure of Christ the Lord. It is he who presides over the election of a new Apostle to replace Judas (cf. Acts 1: 15). He represents the young Church on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14). Later we also see him many times as the first in the Church of Jerusalem (Acts 3:12; 5: 3; 5:12; 5:29). What is particularly important: Peter makes a crucial decision for the Church to baptize the first pagan (Acts 10), and the relevant description clearly emphasizes that he did so thanks to the special light of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10: 9-20), Finally, Peter presides over the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:7).
During the Last Supper, the Lord Jesus announced that Peter will betray him, but at the same time he promised that he himself will pray for him so that he would never break down in faith. And the Lord Jesus commanded him to strengthen his brothers in faith.(cf. Lk 22:32-34) As we believe, this task of Peter is carried out in the Church by his successor, the bishop of Rome and we believe that the Lord Jesus still pray for him.
Until Tomorrow
fr. george