Newsletter 27th August 2023 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Themes for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

The readings for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A remind us that God’s wisdom is not the same as our own wisdom. In the first reading we hear that God has the power to remove the mighty from their positions of leadership. In the second reading Paul tells us that we cannot know the mind of God, as his wisdom and knowledge are beyond us. And in the gospel s that Jesus is the Christ, and Jesus declares that this is a revelation from the Father.

Authority: In this passage, Jesus engages His disciples in a conversation about His identity. He asks them who people say He is and then asks them directly who they believe Him to be. Through this dialogue, Jesus affirms His authority as the Messiah, the Son of the living God.

Faith: Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, demonstrates a        significant act of faith. This confession reveals Peter’s recognition of Jesus’ divine nature and   purpose.

Prayer: Jesus’ response to Peter’s confession highlights the role of divine revelation in               understanding spiritual truths. He acknowledges that Peter’s confession was revealed to him by the Father in heaven, emphasizing the importance of prayerful communion with God.

Primacy of Peter: Jesus’ declaration that Peter is the “rock” upon which He will build His church and that He will give Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven signifies the primacy and         leadership role assigned to Peter within the community of believers.

The Church’s Formation: The passage alludes to the formation of the Church, with Jesus affirming its future establishment based on Peter’s confession and leadership. This signifies the beginning of the community of believers that will grow from Christ’s teachings.

Binding and Loosing: The authority to “bind and loose” granted to Peter symbolizes his role in guiding the Church by making decisions related to doctrine and discipline, highlighting the    organizational structure and accountability within the early Church.