“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Mt 16:16
St Peter is often faulted for speaking too quickly and rashly, but in today's Gospel he answers for all of us, and his response reminds us of the central mystery of Gospel living. We belong to Christ and follow him as the Messiah of God, the one promised us from the beginning of time.
In a poignant moment, when Benedict XVI met with the Roman clergy a few days after announcing his resignation, the Sistine choir sang Palestrina's interpretation of this same passage from Matthew 16 as Benedict left the assembly, assuring him and us that the Gospel would always be a "rock" of safety for those who freely professed their faith, and that his role as Peter was shared with us all.
Is Jesus the Christ, the Messiah, for us? Can others see and experience our belief by the quality of our faith life? The teaching that comes from the Chair of Peter, no matter how strongly any Pope tries to exercise his authority, will be empty unless believers everywhere live the Gospel everyday and open themselves to every form of formation and growth.
Today, sit down and ask God to help you live and reflect upon the gospel with integrity and power.
How do you understand the authority Jesus gives Peter?
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