Scripture Scribbles: August 27, 2023

the Gospel

Matthew 16:13-20

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and
he asked his disciples,
"Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Simon Peter said in reply,
"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Jesus said to him in reply,
"Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, 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."
Then he strictly ordered his disciples
to tell no one that he was the Christ.

the devotion

We were having another painful and heated discussion about religion. “I realize that you’re still searching and not sure exactly where you are in your faith journey,” I told my son, desperately trying to empathize despite my pounding heartbeat and clenched fists. “Just don’t ever turn your back on Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church!” I strongly admonished.

The fullness of the truth is in Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. “You are Peter (Petros), and upon this rock (petra) I will build my Church.” St. Peter’s Basilica (the largest Church in the world) is built over St. Peter’s remains. Peter is the pillar and founder of the Christian Church established by Jesus. Special significance was intended when Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter. Peter in Greek is Petros meaning a single stone that is moveable. The Greek word Petra means rock, a solid foundation that is fixed, immovable, and enduring. Jesus chose to make Peter (this single stone) into a solid foundation of immovable rock on which the Catholic Church is built.

Like Peter, God wants to continue to establish His Church upon us so that we can bring the good news to others, especially our own families. As His instruments, we can continue the mission of His Church so that the faith may be firmly planted in the minds of all. We need to bind our whole hearts to this truth – Jesus and His Church – the source of joy. Always hold on to the treasure of our faith.

Today’s devotion is written by Karen Molvar (with insights from My Catholic Life)