CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE IS POWER TO SERVICE
The Christian power, authority, and privilege are not worldly, but spiritual. As such, they are to promote goodness and healings. To provide joyful service, defend and uphold the truth. They are to fight and eradicate evil forces in the world. This was how Jesus exercises his power and authority on earth. And when he confirmed his disciples, especially Peter, the first Pope with this power and authority. It was the same thing he expected of them to do. Hence, Christian knowledge is the power to service of others not domination or control of them.
OUR THEMES
The readings of this 21st Sunday in ordinary time of the Church´s liturgical year of cycle A, call us to ponder on our privileged position. We are challenged to examine the exercise of this power and authority as Christians and Christian leaders. In the same way, the paramount knowledge of who Christ is personal is also important for us to follow him well and convincingly.
THE READINGS
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The first reading from the prophecy of Isaiah 22:19-23, God through the prophet warns Shebna, the palace administrator. That the key to his power and authority in a privileged position will be taken away from him. And entrusted to Eliakim someone who acts with honour and glory to the name of the Lord. At the same time more trusted to protect Israel.
Psalm 137 calls us to remember we are God´s work, instruments to carry out his purpose in our privileged positions of power and authority as God´s children, and members of his Church.
THE SECOND READING
St. Paul in his letters to the Romans 11:33-36, invites us to recognize, praise, and live within the depths and riches of God´s Wisdom and Knowledge. He calls us as privileged Christians with power and authority to serve. This is because in God, for God, from God and through God and to God are all things, including us. To him then, be the glory, honour, power, and authority forever and ever. Amen.
THE GOSPEL: MATTHEW 16:13-20
The gospel of this Sunday admonishes us to contemplate:
1. A crucial moment in Jesus’ life, the end of his earthly life was close, and to be sure his legacy of propagating the kingdom of God will live on. He evaluated people´s opinion of him and that of his disciples too.
2. The verdicts of the crowd on issues, things, and persons are usually erroneous opinions and judgment. While the verdicts of personal experience under the inspiration of the Spirit of God on issues, things, and persons are genuine or authentic and truthful.
3. Doctrinal and catechetical opinions of Christ is not sufficient for a deep and personal faith commitment to him. We need a strong personal biblical and prayerful knowledge of Christ. If we are to live like him especially in the exercising of power and authority.
WHO IS JESUS TO YOU
4. Knowledge is power. Peter´s inspirational knowledge of Christ opened the realm of infinite power and authority to hold, to bind, and to lose anything and everything in heaven and on earth.
5. The “Messianic secret” Messianic secret is that each and everyone must discover personally who Christ is if we must become Christ-like and to tap into his power and authority in the service of others.
LESSONS FROM THE READINGS
A Christian or a Christian leader misses the mark when he or she uses her privilege, power, and authority to oppress, suppress, dominate, control, manipulate, and abuses others.
When power, authority, and privileged positions are mentioned in the bible. The tendencies for a legalistic or power-driven Christian, priest, or religious leader is to focus on and consolidate his or her God-given power, authority or control is in the Church.
Indeed, this is true! However, why this power and authority is bestowed on us, is more important. Than what extend are these power and authority. It is for service, to defend and promote goodness, truth, and healings– It is also to combat evil and its forces in our lives and the world.
OUR PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Wisdom of God in all its depths and riches. Help us to come to know you as the one true Christ: Messiah. The Son of the living God personally and as such live out the privileged Christian life within your transformative and redemptive power and authority. Amen.
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