Isaiah 22.19-23 | Romans 11.33-36 | Matthew 16.13-20

Together with Mother Church, we begin the twenty-first week of Ordinary Time—still within the Month of Vocations—reflecting on the vocation of the lay faithful in the Church and in society.

As we know, the lay faithful are missionary disciples who live out their faith within the spheres of family and work, serving as witnesses to Christ—"salt of the earth, light of the world" (cf. Matthew 5:13-14) and "leaven in the dough" (cf. Matthew 13:33).

In addition to their role in society—influencing culture, politics, and the economy with Gospel values—the lay faithful also serve within the Church, assuming responsibilities in communities, pastoral groups, and movements, and supporting bishops and priests in evangelization and administration.

Through Baptism, every lay person is a priest, prophet, king, and missionary: offering spiritual sacrifices pleasing to God, proclaiming divine justice, denouncing human injustices, acting with goodness and fairness in the stewardship of creation's goods, and making Christ known and loved throughout the world through words accompanied by deeds.

Today, the Evangelist Matthew speaks to us about Jesus' choice of Simon Peter as the rock upon which He would build His Church.

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God," when Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do you say I am?" It was not a human being who revealed this to Simon Peter, but God the Father, who is in Heaven. Thus, Jesus entrusted the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven to Simon Peter, so that whatever he bound or loosed on earth would also be bound or loosed in Heaven.

Jesus devoted part of His precious time to forming the leaders who would carry on the redemptive mission He had begun—those who would lead His Church. Among the disciples, twelve were chosen—called apostles—and from among the apostles, Simon Peter was chosen to preside in charity and serve as a sign of unity in the faith.

Let us allow ourselves to be instructed by the Father and the Spirit so that we may recognize and proclaim the divine sonship of Jesus, the promised Messiah, in the certainty that the power of hell will never prevail against the Church.

Let us respect and value the Church's religious leaders, who, through the preaching of the Gospel and the administration of the sacraments, accompany the faithful on their journey of fidelity toward Heaven. Let us pray for their perseverance.

Today, the prophet Isaiah speaks to us of the transfer of power carried out by the Lord regarding the throne of Judah in the late 8th century BC.

Having succumbed to pride and greed and made decisions contrary to the divine will, Shebna was deposed by the Lord and replaced by Eliakim, who received authority to act as a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

The Lord was the King of His people par excellence. He was the Good Shepherd who tended the sheep of Judah. ​​The Lord exercised His kingship and shepherding role through His chosen ones, who accepted the divine mission entrusted to them.

Even today, the Lord chooses and prepares leaders to guide His people, the Church. Yet, these leaders remain in their roles only as long as they make decisions in accordance with the divine will; otherwise, they are deposed and replaced. Let us accept the Lord's choice and allow ourselves to be prepared by Him, persevering in faithfulness. 

Today, in his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul speaks to us of the riches, wisdom, and knowledge of God.

The Apostle described the Lord’s judgments and ways as unsearchable and inscrutable; the Lord has never needed a counselor nor had to repay anyone for anything received.

Paul concluded by declaring that all things are from God, through Him, and for Him—to Whom belongs the glory forever.

The Lord needs nothing and no one, yet for our own good, He calls and equips us for every good work in faith and charity. Responding positively to God’s call is an honor and a source of great joy.

Overcoming all pride through the practice of humility, let us guide the faithful to understand that people pass away while God remains eternally, and that they ought to glorify the Creator rather than created beings.