Daily Catholic Lectio
Thu, 8 August 2024
Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time – Thursday
Jeremiah 31:31-34. Matthew 16:13-23
Faith and works
Today’s gospel reading is taken from one of the embarrassing texts of the gospels. Jesus, who appreciates Peter – ‘for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you’, rebukes him immediately—’you are thinking as human beings do’.
Gods are crazy! We can’t understand what goes on in their minds. We can’t win over them with their words. They do what pleases them!
Peter’s profession of faith, as Jesus is the Messiah, is laudable. But he was unable to understand that the path to Messiahship lies in suffering.
The event gives us three lessons:
(a) Peter’s surrender
When the expectation of the expectation of the Messiah was very high, Peter not only acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah but also acclaimed him as the Son of the Living God. ‘Who do you say I am?’ – This question is directed to every one of us in our hearts.
(b) Peter’s privilege
Peter’s faith vision is being rewarded. A fisher of man becomes a fisher of human persons. Now, he owns the keys to heaven. With greater responsibility comes greater power.
(c) Peter’s courage
Peter wishes well for Jesus. He does not want Jesus to suffer. Humans always wish well for Gods! But Gods misunderstand us. Jesus offers Peter a vision that transcends suffering. Peter’s courage is a lesson for us.
In today’s first reading, Jeremiah writes about the new covenant. God writes the words in the hearts of human persons. God’s closeness is the characteristic mark of the new covenant.
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The pilgrims of hope not only profess their faith, but also live their lives according to the faith they profess. (Jubilee 2025 AD, bite 168).
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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