18TH THURSDAY HOMILY OF ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B

18TH THURSDAY HOMILY OF ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B

HOMILY THEME: PETER THE LEADER

BY: Bishop Gerald M. Musa

Jer 31:31-34; Psalm 50(51)12-15, 18-19; Matt 16:13-23

“A leader knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” Jesus knew that without a strong, recognized, and universal leader, there would be chaos, and every apostle would be tempted to establish an independent ministry or Church. In the presence of other apostles, he said to Peter, “You are Peter, and on this rock, I shall build my Church” (Matthew 16:18).

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Jesus could not have prayed for the unity of the Church without laying the basic foundation of unity, which lies in leadership and central authority. He said to Peter, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:19). The Gospel of Matthew describes Peter as the first apostle (Matthew 10:1). Thus, Peter was the primus inter pares (first among equals). He was the first pope, and he handed the keys of authority through the years to his successors, the Popes. Every Pope collaborates with Bishops, who are considered the Magisterium (the Church’s teaching authority).

Jesus continues to nourish and sustain the Church, which is his body. The gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against the institution he established. If the Church were a human invention, it would have collapsed long ago, but it is surviving because it was divinely instituted. How steadfast are we in praying for the unity of the Church?

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