[Salvation]

Mercy in Silence

 

by Food For Thought on February 22, 2013 · 

“Do I want the death of the sinner? – word of Yahweh. “Do I not rather want him to turn from his ways and live?”

As a Father to us all, God does not bear grudges for past transgressions and mistakes. God is aware of all our imperfections and all our sins. He even hears the evil thoughts that are buried deep in our hearts. Sinners though we all are, God is anxious to forgive us all our sins. We only have to approach Him with a contrite heart. And Lent is a good time for us to slow down and reflect, in silence, to find God and to hear His voice. As Mother Teresa said, “We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence.”

And so in the silence of our hearts and minds, let us try to find God and hear His voice, and ask hard questions about ourselves. How have I responded to God’s love and mercy? Have I, in turn, been loving, merciful, and forgiving to those who have offended me?

[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

 

<< Friday, February 22, 2013 >>

Chair of St. Peter

1 Peter 5:1-4
View Readings

Psalm 23:1-6

Matthew 16:13-19

A HOUSE BUILT ON SAND

" 'You are the Messiah,' Simon Peter answered, 'the Son of the living God!' " —Matthew 16:16

 

Every denomination has a "pope." Every denomination, no matter how large or small, has someone who occupies a prime position of authority. The Catholic Church has a Pope. In fact, she has an unbroken succession of pontiffs stretching all the way back to St. Peter, her first Pope.

Just as the patriarchs Abram and Jacob received new names to signify their special mission, so Jesus gives the name of Cephas (or Peter), which means 'Rock,' to Simon. This name change clearly illustrates to Jesus' followers that Peter occupies a place of primacy among the apostles.

Jesus gives Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Mt 16:19). The significance of this action is rooted in Isaiah in the passage where Eliakim receives the keys of the office of prime minister held by Shebna. Isaiah prophesies God's word to Eliakim: "I will place the key of the house of David on his shoulder; when he opens, no one shall shut, when he shuts, no one shall open" (Is 22:22). Peter is also commissioned with the power to bind and loose.

Doubters have tried for centuries to deny that Jesus founded a visible Church under the leadership of St. Peter. However, an honest study of Scripture and history causes their best efforts to crumble like a house built on sand (see Mt 7:26-27).

 

Prayer: Lord, change me so that I live up to my name, Christian.

Promise: "Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come." —Ps 23:6

Praise: St. Peter glorified God in his life and was blessed to glorify God in his martyr's death.