Matthew 16,13-20

August 27, 2023 (Sunday)
Let us all remember that we are in the Holy Presence of God.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gospel: Matthew 16,13-20
Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so, I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
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.”
Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Messiah.

Reflection:
One of the big messages of leadership from Pope Francis is about the mercy of God: “Before repentance, “the righteousness of God… is turned into mercy, and forgiveness.” But first we must be ashamed of our sins. None of us have killed anyone, but many small things, so many everyday sins… And when one thinks: ‘what a tiny heart I have: I did this against the Lord’. Being ashamed before God is a grace, it is the grace of being sinners. The merciful man and the woman have a wide-open heart: They always forgive others and think about their own sins. This is the path of mercy which we have to seek. But if all of us, if we all we had this attitude, what peace there would be in the world! Always remember: ‘Who am I to judge? ‘. Be ashamed and open wide your heart. Interesting that he links mercy and peace. Real peace is based on justice for all and mercy covering past relationships. Lord make us instruments of peace. Help us towards mercy in our hearts to all. (Guarino, Enrique Nicolas P., Lariza, Trisha M., Nicodemus Jr., Glenn T.)

Lasallian Guiding Principle:
LGP states that, the spirit of faith is a “spirit that allows one to unite one’s actions to the ongoing saving action of God in the world.” The gospel spirit challenges us to evaluate our relationship with material possessions. It prompts us to judge whether our attachment to material wealth hinders our ability to prioritize spiritual and relational values. (My Catholic Life)

Prayer:
Synod on Synodality Prayer

We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us, Make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right.
All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.

St. John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us.

St. Miguel Febres Cordero, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sources:
C. (n.d.). Daily Gospel. Retrieved June 22, 2020, from https://dailygospel.org/M/AM/DLSU ITS, DLSU STRATCOM, DLSU IRPA. (n.d.). Guiding Principles of the Philippine Lasallian Family.
Retrieved June 22, 2020, from http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/inside/lasallian-guiding-principles/default.asp

Prepared by Pratik, Sati D., College of Humanities and Sciences- BS Biochemistry Student, through the DLSMHSI Lasallian Mission and Linkages and Advancement, Campus Ministry, and Chaplaincy

Our Daily Lasallian Gospel, Prayer and Reflection is a DLSMHSI gift to the Lasallian family for the 2019 Celebration of the Year of Vocation and the Tercentenary celebration of the death of our founder SJBDLS.

https://www.dlshsi.edu.ph/daily-lasallian-reflection-prayer #300LaSalle