Eleventh Sunday after Trinity (year A proper 16)- Matthew 16:13-20

The Gospel reading for this Sunday is from Matthew 16:13-20, the story of Simon Peter's confession at Caesarea Phillipi. When Jesus asks His disciples who they think He is, Peter boldly confesses that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the living God." Our Lord praises Peter's divinely inspired and faithful response, and He looks to the establishment and continuation of the Christian Church.

Peter's confession of faith is important, and despite his misunderstandings and failings, Peter is a great leader and example. However, Peter is NOT infallible, and he is not alone in his witness. The other apostles and disciples will eventually make the same profession of faith, and the whole community of the faithful will share in Peter's ministry. In other words, this Scripture and others do not portray Peter as some infallible proto-pope (in fact, Christ's calls Peter "satan" within a few verses). Neither Peter nor the others really understand the meaning of his confession until later, after the crucifixion and resurrection.

So as Christians, we honor Peter, but we must not over-emphasize the importance of the man Peter. Instead, we must emphasize the faith he professes and the deeper meaning that his profession acquires through Christ's suffering, death and resurrection. Jesus is the Christ, the only-begotten Son of the Father, who dies and rises to save us!

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost (year A proper 14)-Matthew 14:22-33

The Gospel for today from Matthew 14:22-33 is the famous story of Jesus walking on water. During His earthly ministry, our Lord performed many miraculous deeds. He transformed water into wine, multiplied loaves and fish, rebuked storms, healed many sick, cast out evil spirits and restored the dead to life. Yet, in the popular mind, walking on water may seem even more impressive. Certainly, Peter and the other disciples respond in great awe.

In fact, however, Christ's walking on water expresses a truth found throughout His life, teachings and deeds. This impressive expression of divine power proclaims the same truth about His identity that we see all through the New Testament. The truth about Jesus is that He is God incarnate and that even in human form, He has power over all natural and spiritual forces. Through His power, He also conquers sin, death and the devil and offers fallen human beings new life in this world and in the world to come.

Eighth Sunday after Trinity (year A, proper 13)- Feeding the Crowds

The Gospel for this Sunday is Matthew 14:13-21, a familiar account of Jesus feeding the 5000. The miracles of Jesus feeding the hungry multitudes are repeated several times in the Gospels, and they have several levels of meaning and application. Like all miracles, multiplying the bread and the fish is an assertion of Christ's divine Lordship over nature. It is also a manifestation of His compassion for human beings in need, especially those in need because they have come to hear Him.. He cares for the immediate physical needs of the people around Him, and He is trying to teach His disciples to respond to such circumstances in mercy and in faith.

In addition, the feeding of the hungry also points toward higher needs. Human beings also have a spiritual hunger. They may not always acknowledge this hunger, but that is why they are drawn to Jesus. And just as He can satisfy their momentary physical hunger, He can also satisfy their eternal spiritual hunger through His Word and His Presence.