You are the Christ, Son of the living God. You are the one I place my trust in, who I look to for strength, who I cry out to for help. You love me unconditionally, more than my parents or anyone else here on earth could ever love me. You are God, made man, for my sake. You lowered yourself so that I could be raised with you on the last day. You are my Lord and my God.
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Eli′jah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”[a] 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”[b] 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter,[c] and on this rock[d] I will build my church, and the powers of death[e] shall not prevail against it.[f] 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven,[g] and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
So many thoughts about today’s Gospel and readings Lord. How can I think of all three -such great and holy men were St. Peter and St. Paul. Then you give us the establishment of your bride the church in the Gospel reading. It is so much to ponder, to listen to the numerous reflections from this source or that one. My heart can’t move off the first few lines, as I fear I might miss something. It is all so rich, I could sit for hours or write pages. As my eyes continue to read and pray, you place before me Psalm 34, “The Angel of the Lord will rescue those that fear him.” You rescued me from darkness, you set me before you and gave me many gifts. I praise and adore you Lord. You live and reign in my heart and I long to see you in the hearts of family and friends. Why, O why Lord do we push you away as if all that we have is from ourselves? How short-sighted I am so often to place importance on what can be achieved without seeing your hand in it all.
I’ve come to realize its not about what is to be accomplished. Sure there are things in this world that require action, decisions and considerations. But Lord you are in all these. A day that is centered around you will lead to the success of my hands. Your direction is key and when it is leading me through the quiet of prayer your voice is heard. My struggles are always the same, quieting myself enough to hear you.
Many exterior voices and thoughts try to drown out your voice Lord. I turn to your church and its Vicar. You chose Peter, a not so perfect man. You knew any man in this position would be less than perfect but you gave them the power of your Holy Spirit to guide them. How firm the foundation you chose – men like Peter and Paul, blazing the way to you in modeling, sharing and teaching the faith given for all. You, Son of the most high God, appointed them, with flaws and weaknesses present nonetheless.
You have chosen each of us too, appointed to be united with you through our Baptism. Therefore, disciples, we are also given the strength to model, share and teach. Help me, sweet Jesus, to recognize where I can help and also when I need to help. Open my mind and heart to sing your praises all the days of my life. For I am but your servant, chosen with a purpose for my life, before I was even born. You knit me in my mother’s womb, you knew me before I was formed.
Yes, Lord, you are the Christ, Son of the Living God. Let me not be hardened by the noise of this world but be softened by your grace to see you in my neighbor, and to love as you loved.
Begin Discerning Direction 