Matthew 16:13-20

 

The Gospel on the 21^st Sunday in Ordinary time  (Year A)  August 27, 2023

 

Mt 16:13-20

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and
he asked his disciples,
"Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 
Simon Peter said in reply,
"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 
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. 
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. 
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." 
Then he strictly ordered his disciples

to tell no one that he was the Christ.

 

In a world that rejects much of which the Catholic Church teaches, this is one of my favorite gospels because it tells us precisely where the Church gets her authority to speak for God.  Whenever our pastor speaks on Matthew 16:13-20, his emphasis is usually on Peter’s confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Much of his homily consists of talking about various misconceptions about who Jesus was.   All well and good, as they say, but as an amateur apologist, I always feel like he is missing an opportunity to explain why it is imperative that we listen to and obey the teachings of the Catholic Church.

 

Today the Catholic Church is one of the few remaining institutions that takes a strong moral stand on the tough issues such as abortion or same-sex marriage.  A devout Catholic firmly grounded in the faith has no trouble accepting those beliefs.  We call these non-negotiables.  Yet, many non-Catholic Christians and even some Catholics, acquiesce under social pressure.

 

When it comes to seemingly less stringent teachings or disciplines imposed by the Church, many Catholics turn a blind eye.  Eating meat on Fridays during Lent, or using artificial birth control, or missing Mass every Sunday are all sins that many Catholics do not take seriously.  That brings me to the question that is answered in Matthew’s gospel.  Why should all Christians obey all of the teachings of the Catholic Church, even those that may seem inconsequential?

 

Matthew’s gospel documents Jesus giving Peter, the first Pope of the Catholic Church, 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.”  As an analogy, I equate this to someone giving a babysitter authority over their household while being away, telling the children to do whatever the sitter says to do or not to do.  If the sitter says go to bed, you go to bed.  If the sitter says you can have a snack, you can have a snack.  The sitter is given complete control and the parents back it up.  

 

A parallel passage from the Book of Isaiah was also read at Mass on the same twenty-first Sunday.  A steward over the household named Shebna has his authority taken away and given to another named Eliakim.  “And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.” (Isaiah 22:22).  The job of the steward is to act as the prime minister, ordering the day to day operation of the kingdom.  The message seems clear that God-given authority is to be taken seriously.

 

Jesus is not someone who would say something and not really mean it.  He is the incarnate man of His Word.  He granted earthly authority to Peter and His Church, and therefore, we should all be listening to what the Church tells us.  When someone says to me, “Do you really think God would send me to hell for eating a hamburger on Friday or missing Mass to play golf on one Sunday?”, I remind them that the fall of man happened because someone ate a piece of fruit they weren’t supposed to eat.  God sends no one to hell.  We go there by the choices we make. 

 

Yes, we fail at times.  God is merciful.  That is why He gave His Church authority to forgive sins.  (John 20:23).  When judgement day comes, don’t be the one standing before Our Lord saying, “Gee, I didn’t think you were serious about that!  It didn’t seem like a big deal to me!  I didn’t know you were going to bind us to EVERYTHING the Church said.”  Listen to the Church and beware.

 

 

 

A Periodic Self critique

I first began writing these little monthly blogs in September of 2002.  I am sure my thoughts and ideas over the past twenty-one years have been repeated many times over the years.  Today, I decided to reread some of my early postings, many of which I don’t even remember writing!

 

The first thing I noticed was the length of my articles.  They are generally much shorter now than they were twenty years ago.  Am I running out of things to say or am I just getting lazy?  I may have been more passionate in my fifties than I am now in my seventies.  Have I mellowed in my old age?  My thought processes have slowed for sure.  

 

When this all started, I hoped it to be an evangelizing tool for friends and acquaintances on a local level.  Even though I have little evidence of positive results, I am not discouraged.  My hope has always been that someone someday might go through all of these monthly messages and edit them into a little book for publication.  I have no illusions that my message is unique in any way.  I do believe there may be some interest in local authors however.  Several people in our little town have had books published and some will read them out of curiosity.  

 

If you just hand someone a book on Catholic apologetics, you are probably going to get a cool reception if the person is not open to exploring the subject matter.  If you offer a book on the same topic written by a local acquaintance, they are more likely to give it a read.  That sums up my reason for doing this.  Everything I say has been said better by others worldwide.  But, there may be a couple of thousand people within a few miles of me who might be curious about what that guy they have seen around town wrote about.  If it has an impact on one person, maybe it is worth the effort.  

 

My grandmother, who died in 1962, wrote little poems that were published in a local newspaper and a tiny booklet.  Those writings are her legacy.  She speaks to me today in those words she put on paper long ago.  I see the world she knew in her time.  I envision someone reading my writings many years from now, learning about my faith experience in the early twenty-first century.  

 

I do wonder what form literary distribution will take sixty years from now.  Up until recently, I collected Catholic audio CDs to distribute to anyone willing to hear them.  Now, CD players are becoming rare.  Most car manufacturers no longer include them.  Digital downloads are the current trend, but not easy to hand out on the street corner.  I live knowing the possibility no one will ever see what I have written, or that it will have no positive impact if they do.  

 

Even so, doing this is also good for me personally.  It takes a certain amount of discipline to keep up the monthly routine.  I need to spend time thinking about my faith and deciding what to say.  Sitting quietly before the Blessed Sacrament once a week helps develop topics and organize thoughts. At times, my enthusiasm wanes.  Maybe I really am getting lazy or numb to the world.  It is easy to throw up my hands and think why bother?  I can’t be responsible for everyone’s soul.  But, there is always that chance that one of my descendants down the line will be cleaning out an attic and find something I had written many years ago about the Catholic faith.  Just maybe it will plant a seed that takes root a hundred years from now.  God only knows.  

 

 

Prepping for Final Exams

Yesterday (July 11), we celebrated the Memorial of Saint Benedict.  Coincidentally, I just read a prayer attributed to Saint Benedict that was printed the Holy Hour, a meditative book published by Word on Fire that I use during Eucharistic Adoration at my parish.  The author of the prayer pledges to do the Lord’s will in all things, and goes on to list the many ways he intends to honor the pledge.  

 

Among those listed, he promises to honor all persons, and not to do to another what he would not want done to himself.  Sitting in front of the Blessed Sacrament after I read this, I started thinking about how I treated a few people when I was a youth.  Young people can be downright rude at times, and looking back, I realize I may have said some things that hurt my friends and fellow classmates.

 

I was never what would be considered a bully, but there were a couple of boys that I likely insulted because I didn’t particularly like them hanging around.  Reflecting on this some sixty years later, I realize they could have been outcasts who were just looking for friendship and acceptance.  The fact that I might have been rude to them haunts me now.  I can remember once making fun of one boy’s weight.  Another tried to befriend me and I basically ignored him.  

 

I am reminded of the Movie of Your Life evangomercial put out by Catholics Come Home that depicts people watching moments of their lives being shown on a movie screen as we might envision happening on judgement day.  The time will come when I have to relive those moments when I disrespected someone unjustly.  Trying to right those wrongs today is impossible.  Of the two individual incidents that I remember, one of my victims is no longer alive and the whereabouts of the other is unknown.  I also wonder how many others I may have hurt that I don’t remember.  I can only ask God for forgiveness now. 

 

At the time, I did not realize or care that I was being hurtful.  Now, at age 72, I have to ask myself if I am hurting anyone now.  I speak poorly of others at times, not to their faces, but still say things that should be left unsaid.  Is there anyone reaching out to me today that I am not responding to?  Is there someone I know who needs my help, but I tend to avoid?  Are my actions or inactions in accordance with the Lord’s will?  These are all questions we should ask ourselves from time to time. 

 

What is Honor?

When you give honor to someone, you are giving them recognition for service above and beyond the norm.  It may be for heroic action or length of service.  Some distinguishing quality or achievement has set them apart.  We have honor societies, scholarships, halls of fame, medals, trophies and statues.  Those so honored become part of a special class of peers. 

Among those honored by the Los Angeles Dodgers are Jackie Robinson who broke the major league baseball color barrier with the Dodgers in 1947, and Dodger broadcaster Vin Scully, a Catholic considered by many to be the greatest baseball announcer of all time.  This year, the Dodgers have also chosen to honor the Sister of Perpetual Indulgence, an anti-Catholic hate group of blasphemous perverts dressed as nuns.  Move over Jackie, Vin and anyone else the Dodgers have honored over the years.  You have company.  

Groucho Marx once quipped that he would not want to belong to any club that would accept him as a member.  No respectable human being would want to belong to a club that would have the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence as a member.  An honor bestowed by the Los Angeles Dodgers organization is now an honor devoid of any significance.  If they honor a group that mocks God and all of Christianity, their recognition carries no weight. 

It’s not just that the so-called sisters lack respect for the Church and Christianity, where is their own self-respect?  Why would anybody put themselves out there for ridicule except to shock people?  Yes, they are a hate group, but they unknowingly hate themselves.  They do nothing to help their cause, whatever that may be.  How far has our society devolved?  As appalling as this is, we can have confidence that the Sisters, the Dodgers, and everyone else will face judgement someday.

May I ask you a question?

The non-denominational pastor on the local radio station this morning was talking about the Bible being our only guide to what is true.  Whether the book is opened or closed, he said the Bible should affect everything we think or do.  As a Catholic, I won’t argue with that statement, but I do have questions I would like to ask him.  I may not have that opportunity, so I will make a list just in case.  

1. How do you know the Bible is true?

2. Who decided the Biblical table of contents?

3. By what authority did they do so?

4. What criteria did they use to select or reject writings?

5. How do you know they did not make a mistake? 

6. Was this authority passed down?

7. If the Bible is our only guide, how do you resolve conflicting interpretations?

8. Is it possible the same inerrant authoritative body still exists today?

We Catholics know the answers to these questions, or at least we should.  These are just a few and there are hundreds more.  I wonder how many protestants ever think deeply about them.  It must be easy to get comfortable in your non-denominational family and not ever consider what might be missing.  Devin Rose wrote a book called The Protestant’s Dilemma that might be helpful.

I came across a story today titled After 15 years away from the Church, why I decided to go back.   Oh boy, I thought, another great reversion story.  Not so fast, I learned.  What the author went back to was not “The Church.”  He went through twelve years of Catholic education and was an altar boy up to seventh grade.  Quoting from the article, “a combination of lousy religion teachers, creepy priests, being scolded for not following silly rules, and the overall boringness of Catholic masses had utterly turned me off to the church aspect. My religion teacher would tell us we were going to hell anyway for petty sins, so by age 13, I figured why even bother with church or God?”

The author goes on to tell his story of what eventually led him back to church, but the church he went back to was not the Catholic Church.  He says, “It is a non-denominational church, which means they believe in the Bible and not all man-made rules created over the years. For example, not eating meat on Fridays during Lent or not allowing pastors to marry.”

And a couple more quotes to get the gist of the article, “Some religions worry more about not eating meat on Fridays during Lent than treating people with love and respect.”  “After two months, I found the messages relatable to everyday life. The music was modern and energizing. And most intriguing was the diversity of the attendees.”

And that brings me to the Catholic’s dilemma, one that we encounter all too frequently.  Despite getting a good Catholic education, so many Catholics never come to appreciate the great gift of their Catholic faith and choose the more comfortable path.  Comparing religions is not like comparing apples to oranges.  It is more like comparing spinach to ice cream.  One is the optimal way to spiritual healthiness, but the other may be more appealing to the palate.  Choose wisely.

Faith and Doubt

After more than a year of talks with a young man at our parish, he was baptized, confirmed, and made his first Holy Communion at the Easter Vigil.  We seldom have more than one person inquiring at any one time.  Part of that is due to the fact that we are a very small parish in a very small town, but also may be an indicator that we are not very good evangelizers. 

I have never felt comfortable heading an RCIA program at our parish.  Getting deeper into the Catholic faith is a humbling experience.  The more I learn, the more I realize how much I do not know.  This leads to a feeling of inadequacy.  I should not be the person teaching this class.  Yet, I don’t trust turning it over to anyone else either.  It’s a conundrum.

I try to present the Catholic Faith as accurately as possible.  Apologetics is my strength, if I have a strength.  The woman who assists with the program is stronger spiritually and not so interested in doctrinal matters.  Maybe we complement each other in that sense.  Despite our shortcomings, we have a new Catholic in our parish.  We will continue to support him as we all grow together in our faith. 

Speaking of faith, the gospel on Divine Mercy Sunday was about doubting Thomas who refused to believe in the Resurrection of the Lord without proof. 

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.  So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”  But he said to them,  “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them.  Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”  Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”  Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?  Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” - John 20:24-27

Sitting during my holy hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament today, I thought about this passage and how I can relate to Thomas.  I profess my faith during Mass every Sunday, but at times, doubts can still creep into my mind.  I’m sure many others feel the same way.  We are always looking for that proof.  

Thinking about this as I gazed at the monstrance, I wondered what kind of proof it would take to assure me and everyone else that Resurrected Jesus was truly present appearing as a piece of bread.  If the host were to bleed right in front of me as some have reportedly done in other places, would I then be totally convinced?  Or would I look for another explanation?  Would I be able to convince others who had not witnessed what I had witnessed?   Would our nearly empty church become filled with pilgrims from all over country seeking to experience the Holy Eucharist?

It is not likely that such a miracle will take place here in front of our very eyes, nor should we desire it.  True faith means believing without having seen.  Jesus tells us, “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”  We are blessed!