Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 50(51):12-15,18-19
Matthew 16:13-23
The place and the time written in the line of history are pointers to the faithfulness of God and the response demands us his people both in collective or personal ways. This is expressed in the utmost way by Peter at Caesarea Phillipi in today’s gospel.
Christ then goes on to predict His death in Jerusalem and Peter pleaded with Him not to go there and, for this, the Lord rebuked him for trying to prevent what must happen. Despite his profession of faith Peter still did not fully understand what that profession meant.
He too was caught in the same pendulum of forgetfulness allowing his emotions to get the best of him.
Once again Jesus was teaching His disciples and us what it means to serve God and to serve others. We have to be prepared for a thankless task as well as hot complaints. But God sees, He knows how we try to bear it up.
God is ever faithful we too must always be faithful. Faithfulness demands loving God and keeping to his commands both in good times and in bad times. Faithfulness demands constant appreciation and witnessing to the good deeds the Lord has done for us through his Son. Let us not harden our hearts today but remain faithful to God’s commands.
May God bless us with His peace & joy, so that we will be able to focus on how Jesus had served us to the extent of offering His life on the Cross. Amen.
Fr Joseph Osho
