Sunday Meditation: Upon This Rock

I today’s Gospel passage, Jesus does one of His most important and everlasting things. He founds the Holy Catholic Church. 

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.

~Mt 16:13-20

I thought I knew this passage well, but Dr. Brant Pitre pulls out double from what I knew.  He is absolutely amazing here.

 

That is the fullest exegesis I have ever heard of this very important passage. Let’s meditate on this verse.

Meditation: “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.  For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father."

Do we see the Father in heaven reveal this to Peter?