And the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. – Matthew 16:18

       ISIS, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, spells terror, especially when you see photos of hooded men brandishing weapons at their captives, mostly religious minorities and Christians. There were even news reports that it has vowed to conquer Vatican as well and kill our beloved Pope Francis.

     On the domestic front, we also see endless violence, particularly between the military and the Muslim groups in Mindanao. Even in the metro, we hear of people killing each other due to road rage, domestic disputes and all other forms of senseless killings.

       As I write this, I heave a big sigh. When will all this violence stop? Where is respect for life? Where is fear of hell?

       But faith — that still, small voice within — tells me everything will be OK. God is in control. And while He may allow these things to take place, He is with all the victims of violence. The Church He founded will live on. His Kingdom will reign and dissipate all other kingdoms — not with violence but with love.

        And then all will be one. Tess V. Atienza

(theresa.a@shepherdsvoice.com.ph)

Reflection: Spend a few minutes of silence and pray for all the victims of violence.

Lord God, You are our King. You will not let evil triumph over this world.

 Jeremiah teaches that God is going to renew our hearts according to the power and principles of love and mercy. He will give us a heart of flesh. This is our greatest call as Christians — to manifest the love of God to the world so that Jesus Christ will be known and loved as Savior and Lord. But first we must receive God’s love before we can give it to others.

Jeremiah 31:31-34

31 The days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers: the day I took them by the hand to lead them forth from the land of Egypt; for they broke my covenant and I had to show myself their master, says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord. I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 No longer will they have need to teach their friends and relatives how to know the Lord. All, from least to greatest, shall know me, says the Lord, for I will forgive their evildoing and remember their sin no more.

Psalm 51:12-13, 14-15, 18-19

R: Create a clean heart in me, O God.

10 [12] A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. 11 [13] Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me. (R) 12 [14] Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me. 13 [15] I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners shall return to you. (R) 16 [18] For you are not pleased with sacrifices; should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it. 17 [19] My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. (R)           

Today is the feast day of St. John Vianney, the only diocesan priest to be canonized. He was given an insignificant parish, Ars, after his ordination because nothing much was expected of him. In a few short years, all of Europe made pilgrimages to Ars to see him. What made St. John so popular as a confessor? He was a holy man and ministered God’s mercy and love to sinners. It is the foundation on which St. John Vianney built his ministry.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 16:13-23

13 Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. 18 And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. 19 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.” 20 Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. 21 From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. 22 Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” 23 He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me,  Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

think: Our greatest call as Christians is to manifest the love of God to the world so that Jesus Christ will be known and loved as Savior and Lord.

Thank You Lord for: __________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 1 Maccabees 7-8

FAITH IN ACTION

Peter’s profession of faith, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” took place in Caesarea Philippi, a Gentile territory. This was a place where they consider faith in God as irrelevant. Peter’s profession of faith indicates the universality of the mission of Jesus as the Messiah. His mission to proclaim the Father’s love and offer of salvation is not only for the few chosen ones but for everyone. Peter’s profession of faith suggests an invitation to follow the Lord and participate in the very nature of the Messiah.

       In that sacred profession of faith, Jesus gave Peter the authority to head the Church. But this authority is not meant to dominate but to serve and to offer one’s life for all. Peter, like Jesus, will perform the greatest possible love for everyone, the sacrifice on the Cross for the salvation of all.

       To profess that Jesus is the Messiah is to live like Jesus. His mission becomes our mission. The content of His heart becomes our treasure. St. John Paul II said, “When we think about the many problems that face you daily, when we think about the many people who are suffering, we think about Christ. In the faces of the poor, I see the face of Christ. In the life of the poor, I see Christ’s life reflected. A Church that wants to be a Church of the poor must heed this challenge, discover its full depth and implement its full truth. We are called to do what Jesus did and proclaim the Gospel to the poor.”

     To proclaim that Jesus is the Messiah, we are called to carry the compassionate heart of Jesus to the lonely beggars, the poor in the slum areas, the sick and the dying. We become the compassion of Christ in action — both to the poor and the rich, the oppressed and the oppressor.

       Jesus suffers when we suffer. Our pain becomes His pain. Allow our actions in solidarity with the Suffering God to answer His question, “Who do you say that I am?” Fr. Alex Balatbat

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Who is God for you? What is your image of God? How do you proclaim Jesus as your Lord and Savior?

Jesus, grant me the grace to experience the infinite compassion of God, that I may begin to share the same compassion with others. Amen.