Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jesus commends Simon Peter for this profession of faith, indicating that this insight has come from God. Because of Simon Peter’s response, Jesus calls him the “rock” upon which Jesus will build the Church. This is a word play on the name Peter, which is the Greek word for “rock.” Peter is then given special authority by Jesus, a symbolic key to the Kingdom of Heaven. Peter will play an important role in the early Christian community as a spokesperson and a leader.
Loyola Press – Sunday Connection
In today’s Gospel, Peter’s recognition of Jesus’ identity is credited to a revelation by God. This will contrast sharply with Jesus’ rebuke of Peter in next week’s Gospel. When Peter rejects Jesus’ prediction of his passion and death, Peter is said to no longer be thinking as God does but as humans do.
The use of the term church in today’s Gospel is one of only three such occurrences in Matthew’s Gospel. Peter in this Gospel is being credited as the foundation for the Church, a privilege granted to him because of his recognition of Jesus’ identity. The Church continues to be grounded in the faith that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Sunday Resources
Live Mass
https://mass-online.org/daily-holy-mass-live-online/…
Recorded Mass (30min) St-Edmund’s https://youtu.be/8lRsO8TgFUU
Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermon https://youtu.be/OYBjxjvt6yU
Mini Homily focus on today’s Psalm – Fr. Mark Goring https://youtu.be/6fRJCphB5PY