At last, somebody understands Jesus! Earlier, He tossed this query toward His disciples, “Who do people suppose the Son of Man is?” Above the others, Peter rose, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Happy with the reply, Jesus responds, “You are Peter [petros]. On this rock, [petra, your confession] I will […]
Jesus in the Storm
August 13, 2020 by
The day began as Jesus withdrew to a deserted place to be alone. Later, in the afternoon sun, He ascends atop a mountain to pray. Again, Jesus seeks solitude, far from both crowds and followers. Earlier, our Lord told His disciples to take to the water in a boat—but this time, He lets them go […]
Matthew 16:13-23: Who Do You Say I Am?
March 27, 2019 by
After people demanded proof of His divinity, Jesus questions His disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Earlier, the Pharisees clamored, challenging Him to give them a sign from heaven. Do not find this as strange, for lack of faith always wants to sense and experience something, not take God at His […]
The Passion and the People: Peter
March 9, 2017 by
John 18:4-11: Not by Sword but Cross Perhaps, you faced some inconvenience to be here today. Did you miss a TV show or needed to change a mealtime? The food may still be waiting for you when you step back into your home. Perhaps, you scurried to finish some task to arrive here on time. […]
Confession of St. Peter: Petros or Petra?
January 25, 2015 by
Texts: Mathew 16:13-20, Mark 8:27-38, Acts 4:8-13, and 2 Peter 1:1-15 Each Christian congregation is to be a living embodiment, in a particular place and time, of the Church of Jesus Christ. And that just makes sense. After all, don’t Christians believe that the Jesus in heaven is the same Jesus who rose from […]
Acts, Lesson 11: Peter and Cornelius
August 19, 2014 by
Peter had raised Tabitha from the dead and stayed near where Tabitha lived. While in Joppa, Peter stayed with a tanner. It’s now that we hear the Church spreading to full-blown Gentiles (as opposed to Samaritans, which were a Semitic people with some Jewish ancestry). In this chapter of Acts, we see a new period […]
Acts, Lesson 10: Paul and Peter
August 18, 2014 by
Last week, Luke told us of Saul’s conversion to “the Way,” that He had become a follower of Christ. Even more, Jesus had called him to be His Apostle to the “Gentiles, kings, and children of Israel.” We now find out what happened after Saul was baptized. The Story of Saul Continues Read Acts […]
St. Peter and St. Paul, Apostles
June 29, 2014 by
What a daring deed it is to call someone a saint. Saint comes from the Latin word for holy. So, let us speak in clear English today. Today, we celebrate the Feast of Holy Peter and Holy Paul. How can we say that? Only God is Holy. That’s what we sing every week in the […]
The Wound of Denial: Matthew 26:69-75
March 14, 2012 by
Peter loved his Lord. Peter boldly declared to Jesus, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). This was the Peter who, after Jesus said, “One of you will betray me,” responded with, “Surely, not I Lord!” This was the Peter who later said, “Even if all fall away because of […]
