Bible
Study: 1st Peter 5, 1 to 4. Matthew 16, 13
to 19).
The secret
of a long-lasting building lies in its foundation. Whatever will stand strong
must first begin with a solid foundation. Christ himself spoke about building
on sand as against building on solid rock. (Matthew 7, 24 to 27). So when he
wanted to build a church, he selected a Rock for its foundation. That rock is
what we celebrate today.
“You are
Peter, and upon this Rock, I will build my Church. And the powers of death
shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16, 18. Within this statement of Jesus
Church lies the secret of the success of the Catholic Church. Just as it was
not flesh and blood that told Peter who Jesus really is, it is not flesh and
blood that sustains the Church. Kingdoms have come and gone, yet the church
remains!
For those
who believe that there is no power in the Catholic Church simply because we do
not display signs and wonders or go on television to advertise miracles, it would
interest you to meditate on the words of Jesus to Peter in today’s Gospel
passage: “I give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind
on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth shall be
loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16, 19.
Today there
are a lot of church springing up here and there everywhere not founded by
Christ and established for the wrong motives. Peter himself admonishes
ministers in the first reading NOT to see the church as an avenue of making money
or exercising control over others but instead as an avenue to serve God’s
people as their shepherd. And we know a good shepherd by the very example of
his life. Jesus said it plainly: “By their fruits, we shall know them.” Matthew
7, 20.
Yes, we
know them by their excessive love for money, their private jets and luxurious mansions,
their craze for the latest fashion and designer shoes and suits, even by their
hairstyle and choice of vehicles, by their wastefulness and scandalous spending
all in the name of doing God’s work! Yet Jesus said “Carry no purse, no bad, no
sandals.” Luke 10, 4.
Let us
Pray:
Lord
Jesus, touch the hearts of our ministers that they may not be led astray by the
love of the world but truly shepherd your flock to right pastures. Amen.
God bless you. Good morning. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is
well with you. Happy new week.
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