Mass Readings
Reading 1 – Isaiah 22:19-23
Psalm – Psalm 138: 1-2, 2-3, 6, 8
Reading 2 – St Paul to Rom 11:33-36
Gospel – Matthew 16:13-20
Reflection
We have wonderful readings today, especially the gospel. It speaks about the key of the Kingdom of heaven. A key is an indispensable part of our lives, because it helps us to open and close many household things. Imagine if we lose the key of our car, house or locker etc...what would happen? Life would be very disturbed that day! If then, what would happen when we lose the key of our inner strength? Definitely, life would be in a collapsed state, because Jesus who lives in us is the inner strength of our lives. It will be a great failure, if we fail to recognise this truth in our lives. Many people failed to understand it but Peter was exceptional in today’s gospel. He was able to read his inner self very well about Jesus when he had been asked ‘who Jesus was.’ Prompted by the inner self he responded to Jesus, “You are the son of the living God.” Why Peter?
Peter was always close to Jesus, he had the hunger to be always in His Company. When Jesus went to the mountain to be transfigured Peter was there. When Jesus walked on water, Peter was also there walking on water towards Jesus. There were many more instances that tell us of the closeness of Peter with Jesus. Of course Peter had his own weaknesses too, but he was humble enough to admit it and be with him. This divine closeness helped him to know Jesus deeply. It caused him to be worthy to receive the key of the kingdom of heaven which enables him to know the mysteries of God.
Closeness to Jesus is very important, to open our inner self to know who Jesus is for us, especially during this pandemic. God has given a key to all of us to unlock our inner self to know more about the strength of Jesus in us.
Jesus who lives in us is the inner strength of our lives. Let us open our inner self and try to know the energy of our Christian life during this unprecedented time, by not being spiritually weak, not being doubtful of God’s words, not being meaningless for others and not being disgraceful to the life that has been given to us. Let us be courageous at this time of lockdown and be a true witness of Jesus Christ using the Key that has been given to us.
Fr. Shymon Thekkekalathungal
Assistant Parish Priest