DAILY- HOMILY

AUGUST 21, 2011
21ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – A

Is 22:15, 19-23 / Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 6, 8 / Rom 11:33-36 / Mt 16:13-20

ISAIAH 22:19-23
Thus says the Lord Yahweh to Shebna, the palace steward: "You will be
deposed, strongman. I will hurl you down from where you are. On that
day I will summon my servant Eliakim, son of Hilkiah. I will clothe
him with your robe, I will strengthen him with your girdle, I will
give him your authority, and he will be a father to the inhabitants of
Jerusalem and to the people of Judah. Upon his shoulder I will place
the key of the House of David: what he opens, no one shall shut; what
he shuts, no one shall open. I will fasten him like a peg in a sure
spot, and he will be a seat of honor in the house of his father."

ROMANS 11:33-36
Brothers and sisters, how deep are the riches, the wisdom and
knowledge of God! His decisions cannot be explained, nor his ways
understood! Who has ever known God's thoughts? Who has ever been his
adviser? Who has given him something first, so that God had to repay
him? For everything comes from him, has been made by him and has to
return to him. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

MATTHEW 16:13-20
Jesus came to Caesarea Philippi. He asked his disciples, "What do
people say of the Son of Man? Who do they say I am?" They said, "For
some of them you are John the Baptist, for others Elijah or Jeremiah
or one of the prophets." Jesus asked them, "But you, who do you say I
am?" Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
Jesus replied, "It is well for you, Simon Barjona, for it is not flesh
or blood that has revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. And
now I say to you: You are Peter (or Rock) and on this rock I will
build my Church; and never will the powers of death overcome it. I
will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on
ear th shall be bound in heaven, and what you unbind on earth shall be
unbound in heaven." Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone
that he was the Christ.

REFLECTION
It is a special moment for the apostles particularly Peter who,
through the revelation and inspiration of God, is able to utter the
truth about Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah. And though Peter's
understanding of the implications of that reality is not thorough,
which will become evident later on, he is nonetheless handed over some
mission by Jesus when he said these words: "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."

There are various interpretations of this mission given to Peter.
"Binding and loosing" was a rabbinical expression for the authority to
impose or to release from legal obligations. The meaning of the "keys"
is found in the first reading: The "master of the palace" had complete
authority over the king's household, second only to the king. He wore
a key on a sash over his shoulder as a sign of his authority. To have
the "keys of the kingdom of heaven," therefore, means to have
authority second to that of Jesus Christ. When Jesus entrusts to Peter
the keys of the kingdom of Heaven, it becomes clear that Jesus takes
the risk in assigning Peter this great responsibility with regard to
the Church that Jesus wants to establish.

We are likewise given responsibilities and missions of authority by
Jesus though not as directly as he did to Peter. At baptism, the
priest reminds parents and the godparents of their task and commitment
of raising the baptized child in imitation of Jesus. These children
are gifts to be handled with care and love.

What authority has been given to you? As a teacher, you have the
responsibility and authority to educate young minds for them to be
able to make the right decisions as adults. As a lawyer, more than
knowing the ins and outs of the law, your responsibility and authority
are the upholding of the truth so that justice will always be served.
As a doctor, you have the authority and responsibility of bringing
comfort and healing to anyone, be it physiological, psychological or
emotional healing. Priests have the authority and responsibility of
reconciling people among themselves and with God, of fostering unit y
and deepening faith, of nurturing hope and bringing love.

Have we been faithful to the authority and responsibility entrusted to
us? Or have we betrayed such trust through our misuse of power and
authority?

In the end, it becomes clear that such authorit in having these
responsibilities are rooted in the theme of stewardship. We shall be
held accountable for whatever tasks and responsibilities lovingly
given to us by Jesus. We pray that we will not disappoint our Lord
Jesus.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Wilfredo Tadiosa
- Jo Marcelo
- Jun Lee
- Jonathan Salazar
- Wally Torres
- Mon Torres
- Ely Lara
- Rita P. Cuerva
- Bert Villacorta
- Eden Batuto
- Titong V
- Fr. Antonio Claudio, Priscilla Eugenio and Yolanda Caberto
… for the personal intentions of
- Fr. Sergio Dias
- Josheil Dapo
- Pauline
… for the eternal repose of the souls of Anna Limpe McAvoy. Eternal
rest grant unto them and may perpetual light shine upon them. May they
and all the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Justin Peter Lim
- Birthday: Bryan L. Lim
- Birthday: Fr. Johnny Go, SJ
- In Memoriam (+): Carmen Tan Sio Ty Ngo (1932-1977)+
… for families who are in need of healing
… for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers
and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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| The Daily Prayer, a service and an apostolate of the
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