You are the Christ

Peter confesses his belief that Jesus of Nazareth, whom he has been accompanying, is the Messiah, in Hebrew Mashiha, in Greek Christos, meaning “anointed.” He must have based his conclusion from having witnessed his many teachings and miracles.

Not anybody can be called the Messiah. Anyone who claims to be the Messiah would spark controversy or could be considered crazy.

For the Jewish people, the Messiah must keep the Torah. He should never put himself above the Torah. He should be like King David, the anointed, who put all the enemies of

Israel at bay and thus established peace and prosperity in the land.

Because of Peter’s courage and right faith, Jesus, the Son of Man and the Messiah, gives him authority to bind or to loose in the Church.

Unlike many Christian denominations, we, as Catholics, believe that his authority is handed on to his successors whom we identify as the bishops, the Pope, and the Magisterium. They define our faith and morals.

Beloved: I exhort the presbyters among you, as a fellow presbyter and witness to the sufferings of Christ and one who has a share in the glory to be revealed.

Tend the flock of God in your midst, overseeing not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly.

Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

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.”