TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
SOLEMNITY OF SAINT PIUS X
23 AUGUST 2020
As
we continue to read from the Gospel of Saint Matthew, Jesus gradually reveals
himself to others. Even though he needed
to be alone to grieve the death of John the Baptist, he pitied a huge crowd,
taught them, healed their sick, and fed them with five loaves and two
fish. Then he walked on the water and
calmed a fierce storm threatening the lives of his disciples in a boat. Now, he asks his disciples to tell him who
the Son of Man is. They say that there
are lots of opinions on the posts of people’s first century Facebook: John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of
the prophets. When he asks who they say
that he is, Simon Peter says, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
This
discussion happens at Caesarea Philippi in northern Galilee. Scholars tell us that
there were a dozen or more ancient temples in the area once used for worship of
the god of fertility, Ba`al. A cavern in a nearby hill was said to be the
birthplace of the Greek god of nature, Pan. There was a huge marble temple
built by Herod the Great to honor the Roman emperor, Caesar. Simon Peter has not hit upon a lucky guess. The heavenly Father has revealed the truth to
him. At a place where people had
searched for centuries for one who would save them, Simon Peter correctly
identifies the true identity of Jesus as the Messiah. He has not come to
deliver human words. He is the Word made
flesh. He has not come to save his
people from the Romans. He has come to
give his life completely for the salvation of all.
In
response, Jesus changes Simon’s name to Peter, which means “Rock.” On this rock of Peter’s profession of faith,
he will build his Church. His Church is not
a physical building, but a community of believers. He gives the keys to the kingdom to Peter,
symbolizing Peter’s role of leadership of this new Church, this new gathering
of God’s holy people. And he promises
that the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
We
recognize the Pope, the Bishop of Rome, as the successor of Saint Peter. Over the centuries, Popes have accepted their
roles of loosing and binding on earth.
They have taught the authentic identity of Jesus Christ. They have issued juridical laws that govern
the Church. They have offered spiritual
direction to the flock entrusted to them.
All of the successors of Saint Peter have been flawed human beings,
including Peter himself. Some have
focused more attention on their own needs rather than on the flock entrusted to
them, much as Shebna had failed in his position as steward of the royal
household. But through heroic and
saintly popes, along with immoral and corrupted popes, the Lord has kept his
promise to his Church.
We
need to hear this message today. We have
gone through a very difficult period dominated by the clergy sexual abuse
crisis, shaking the faith of many. Now
we are caught up in this pandemic. Not
only is everyone affected in one way or another, but we are divided about how
to respond. Despite all our weaknesses
and sins, Christ continues to build us, the living stones, into his
temple. Christ never gives up on us and
will protect us from the evil one.
Today
we celebrate the Solemnity of our patron, Saint Pius X. At the beginning of the twentieth century, he
faced enormous challenges and took the motto “To Renew All Things in
Christ.” He never abandoned his humble
origins and complained about the pomp surrounding him as Pope. He encouraged active participation in the
Liturgy. We ask his intercession today
as we accept the challenge of renewing all things in Christ at the beginning of
this 21st century. We pray
for the current Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis, and all bishops in union with
him. We renew our trust in the promise
of Jesus that his Church will prevail, no matter what.
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