Daily Word Of God
Matthew 16:13-19
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’
‘But you’ he said, ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said, ‘the Son of the living God.’
Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of Heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- During Jesus’ time, many people did not have a clear idea of who He was. However, Peter, through the Holy Spirit, was able to identify Jesus as Christ, Son of the living God.
- Jesus entrusted Peter and his community that He founded, with the Truth of who He truly is. He will send the Holy Spirit to come upon them at Pentecost so that His Truth can continue to be transmitted to all peoples and for all generations.
- Reflect on your role and responsibility in your Christian community and how you can make Jesus more clearly and effectively known to them and to the secular world.