Para la versión en español, haga clic aquí.
Sunday’s Gospel is very important to Catholics because it describes when Jesus gave his Church the papacy (pope). Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter and gave Peter the ability to bind or forgive sins (the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation).
Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter, which means “rock.” Jesus chose to build his Church upon the rock of Peter’s faith and give him the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. Yet Peter was something of a hothead who often spoke or acted boldly before he engaged his brain. He assured Jesus that he would never deny him . . . and then turned around and denied him three times in quick succession.
Peter? A rock? Maybe not at that moment, but God would equip him with all he would need to lead the early Church in the absence of Jesus’ physical presence. God had already revealed to him Jesus’ identity as “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” With the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Peter became a new man of courage, conviction, and wisdom. Who better to lead the fledgling Church than a man who knew his own limitations and sinfulness?!
God knows our hearts—just as Jesus knew Simon Peter’s. God sees our potential and wants to grace and equip us with all that we need to face life’s challenges. If it’s time (or past time) to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, what’s holding you back? We step forward when we let go of our past failings and accept God’s help toward a better future.
Image credit: LUMO project (Big Book Media)/freebibleimages.org
