Daily Readings - Sun Aug 27 2017

Second Reading - Romans 11.33-36

³³Oh, the depths of the richness of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are his judgments, and how unsearchable are his ways³⁴For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor³⁵Or who first gave to him, so that repayment would be owed³⁶For from him, and through him, and in him are all things. To him is glory, for all eternity. Amen

Gospel - Matthew 16.13-20

Matthew

Chapter 16

¹³Then Jesus went into parts of Caesarea Philippi. And he questioned his disciples, saying, "Who do men say that the Son of man is?¹⁴And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, and others say Elijah, still others say Jeremiah or one of the prophets.¹⁵Jesus said to them, "But who do you say that I am?¹⁶Simon Peter responded by saying, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.¹⁷And in response, Jesus said to him: "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father, who is in heaven¹⁸And I say to you, that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it¹⁹And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound, even in heaven. And whatever you shall release on earth shall be released, even in heaven.²⁰Then he instructed his disciples that they should tell no one that he is Jesus the Christ

Sermon

In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on the profound mystery of God's wisdom and the pivotal moment of faith in Jesus Christ. The Second Reading from Romans 11:33-36 is a hymn to God's inscrutable wisdom, emphasizing that His ways are beyond human comprehension. This passage, part of Paul's letter discussing the inclusion of Gentiles in God's plan, reminds us to approach life with humility, recognizing the depth of God's wisdom that surpasses our understanding. The Gospel from Matthew 16:13-20 presents a turning point in Jesus' ministry. When Jesus asks His disciples who they believe Him to be, Peter's confession, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God," stands out as a beacon of faith. This moment is not just a personal revelation but a foundational event for the Church. Jesus establishes Peter as the rock upon which the Church is built, entrusting him with the keys to the kingdom, symbolizing authority and responsibility. This passage underscores the importance of faith in understanding God's plan and our role within it. As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are reminded to embrace the mystery of God's plan with humility and trust. Like Peter, our faith is a gift that allows us to see beyond the surface and participate in God's work. In our daily lives, this means living with faith, trusting in God's providence, and actively contributing to the Church's mission. The moral lesson here is the call to humility and active faith, recognizing that our understanding is limited, but our trust in God's plan is limitless. Let us strive to live out our faith with courage and trust, just as Peter did, and find our place in the ongoing story of God's Church.