Letters From Home

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Memorial of St. Augustine by Dr. Scott Hahn.

Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

Readings:
Isaiah 22:15, 19–23
Psalm 138:1–3, 6, 8
Romans 11:33–36
Matthew 16:13–20

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!” Paul exclaims in today’s Epistle. Today’s Psalm, too, takes up the triumphant note of joy and thanksgiving. Why? Because in the Gospel, the heavenly Father reveals the mystery of His kingdom to Peter.

With Peter, we rejoice that Jesus is the anointed Son promised to David, the one prophesied to build God’s temple and reign over an everlasting kingdom (see 2 Samuel 7).

What Jesus calls “my Church” is the kingdom promised to David’s son (see Isaiah 9:1–7). As we hear in today’s First Reading, Isaiah foretold that the keys to David’s kingdom would be given to a new master, who would rule as father to God’s people.

Jesus, the root and offspring of David, alone holds the kingdom’s keys (see Revelation 1:18; 3:7; 22:16). In giving those keys to Peter, Jesus fulfills that prophecy, establishing Peter—and all who succeed him—as holy father of His Church.

His Church, too, is the new house of God—the spiritual temple founded on the “rock” of Peter, and built up out of the living stones of individual believers (see 1 Peter 2:5).

Abraham was called “the rock” from which the children of Israel were hewn (see Isaiah 51:1–2). And Peter becomes the rock from which God raises up new children of God (see Matthew 3:9).

The word Jesus uses—“church” (ekklesia in Greek)—was used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament for the “assembly” of God’s children after the Exodus (see Deuteronomy 18:16; 31:30).

His Church is the “assembly of the firstborn” (see Hebrews 12:23; Exodus 4:23–24), established by Jesus’ exodus (see Luke 9:31). Like the Israelites, we are baptized in water, led by the Rock, and fed with spiritual food (see 1 Corinthians 10:1–5).

Gathered at His altar, in the presence of angels, we sing His praise and give thanks to His holy name.

Lecturas:
Isaías 22,15.19–23
Salmo 138,1–3.6.8
Romanos 11,33–36
Mateo 16,13–20

“¡Oh profundidad de la riqueza, la sabiduría y la ciencia de Dios!”, exclama San Pablo en la epístola de esta semana. También el salmo del domingo toma una triunfante expresión de alegría y gratitud. ¿Porqué? Porque en el Evangelio, el Padre celestial revela el misterio de su reino a Pedro.

Con Pedro, nos regocijamos de que Jesús es el hijo ungido prometido a David, de quien se había profetizado que construiría el templo del Señor y reinaría sobre un reino eterno (cf. 2 S 7).

Lo que Jesús llama “mi Iglesia” es el reino prometido al hijo de David (cf. Is 9,1–7). Como escuchamos en la primera lectura del domingo, Isaías predijo que las llaves del reino de David les serían entregadas a un nuevo Señor, que gobernaría al pueblo de Dios como un padre.

Sólo Jesús, la raíz y descendencia de David, tiene las llaves del reino (cf. Ap 1,18; 3,7; 2,16). Al entregarle esas llaves a Pedro, Jesús cumple esa profecía, estableciendo a Pedro—y a todos sus sucesores—como santo padre de su Iglesia.

Su Iglesia es también la nueva casa de Dios: el templo espiritual fundado sobre la “roca” de Pedro y construido con las piedras vivas que somos todos y cada uno de los creyentes.

Abraham fue llamado “la roca” de quien los hijos de Israel fueron labrados (cf. Is 51,1–2). Y Pedro viene a ser la roca de la cual Dios hace surgir nuevos hijos de suyos (cf. Mt 3,9).

La Palabra que usa Jesús—“iglesia” (ekklesia en griego)—fue usada en la traducción griega del Antiguo Testamento para referirse a la “asamblea” de los hijos de Dios posterior al éxodo (cf. Dt 18,16; 31,30).

Su Iglesia es la “asamblea de los primogénitos” (cf. Hb 12,23; Ex 4,23–24) establecida por el éxodo de Jesús (cf. Lc 9,31). Como los israelitas, somos bautizados en agua, guiados por la Roca y alimentados con comida espiritual (cf. 1Co 10,1–5).

Congregados en su altar, en la presencia de ángeles, cantamos su alabanza y le damos gracias a su Nombre santo.

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Saturday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time by Mr. Clement Harrold.

Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Friday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. John Bergsma.

Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Feast of St. Bartholomew by Ms. Joan Watson.

Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. John Bergsma.

Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Dr. Shane Owens.

Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Memorial of St. Pius X by Dr. Scott Hahn.

Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com

Readings:
Isaiah 56:1, 6-7
Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8
Romans 11:13-15, 29-32
Matthew 15:21-28

Most of us are the foreigners, the non-Israelites, about whom today’s First Reading prophesies.

Coming to worship the God of Israel, we stand in the line of faith epitomized by the Canaanite woman in today’s Gospel. Calling to Jesus as Lord and Son of David, this foreigner shows her great faith in God’s covenant with Israel.

Jesus tests her faith three times. He refuses to answer her cry. Then, He tells her His mission is only to Israelites. Finally, He uses “dog,” an epithet used to disparage non-Israelites (see Matthew 7:6). Yet she persists, believing that He alone offers salvation.

In this family drama, we see fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy and the promise we sing of in today’s Psalm. In Jesus, God makes known among all the nations His way and His salvation (see John 14:6).

At the start of salvation history, God called Abraham (see Genesis 12:2). He chose his offspring, Israel, from all the nations on the face of the earth to build His covenant kingdom (see Deuteronomy 7:6–8; Isaiah 41:8).

In God’s plan, Abraham was to be the father of many nations (see Romans 4:16–17). Israel was to be the firstborn of a worldwide family of God, made up of all who believe what the Canaanite professes—that Jesus is Lord (see Exodus 4:22–23; Romans 5:13–24).

Jesus came first to restore the kingdom to Israel (see Acts 1:6; 13:46). But His ultimate mission was the reconciliation of the world, as Paul declares in today’s Epistle.

In the Mass we join all peoples in doing Him homage. As Isaiah foretold, we come to His holy mountain, the heavenly Jerusalem, to offer sacrifice at His altar (see Hebrews 12:22–24, 28). With the Canaanite, we take our place at the Master’s table to be fed as His children.