From today’s Scripture: “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.” — Mt 16:19

Jesus gives Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven and makes him the rock. By using the image of the keys, Jesus is making Peter the “master of the palace” (Is 22:19) in the kingdom of God. Jesus gives Peter the responsibility of leading the Apostles and guiding the Church. Peter carried the responsibility and was entrusted by Jesus faithfully until the end. You and I, in one way, have been entrusted by God with some responsibility in our lives — in our families, places of work, and our churches. The question is, are we doing it with love?

Peter was not chosen by people like other leaders. Jesus wanted the Gospel to be preached to people in the whole world. Peter is our father in faith, our guide, and our example. But most of all, he is a reflection of God’s own fatherly care for us, His children. All successors of Peter carry out the responsibility Jesus entrusted to him. Thus, all Parishioners are encouraged to pray for our present pope, all future popes, and all other leaders, so that they carry the responsibility entrusted to them faithfully. God has entrusted us with responsibilities in our families and in our places of work. Do we do it for the glory of God? With love?

Let us pray: Thank you, Father, for the love you have for us. Bless all your children with good health and may St. Peter continue to intercede for the Church.

Today’s author is Sister Imelda Ngwitu, a Franciscan Sister of St. Anna, working with our missions in Southwest Georgia.

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