Gospel Matthew 16:13-19
When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi 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.”
Reflection Jesus is making clear that he's given authority to his church. The church must be founded on truth so that the Kingdom of God can take place one day here on this earth.
Closing Prayer Father, help us to acknowledge the authority in the truths that we find in our religion. All religions. We pray that churches will proclaim consistently your wisdom, your truth. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.