[I]Introductory note:
Because of Peter’s faith the promise is given to him. It is through faith that the Church at all times can have trust in the promise of God’s protecting power. So encouraged, we can meet the difficulties and human weaknesses that are part of the Church’s life. Each member must search for deeper faith through study of the Scriptures and the teaching of the Church, and by more fervent prayer.[/I]
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First Reading Isaiah 22:19-23
I place the key of the House of David upon his shoulder.
Thus says the Lord of hosts to Shebna, the master of the palace:
I dismiss you from your office,
I remove you from your post,
and the same day I call on my servant
Eliakim son of Hilkiah.
invest him with your robe,
gird him with your sash,
entrust him with your authority;
and he shall be a father
to the inhabitants of Jerusalem
and to the House of Judah.
I place the key of the House of David
on his shoulder;
should he open, no one shall close,
should he close, no one shall open.
I drive him like a peg into a firm place;
he will become a throne of glory
for his father’s house.
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 137
Response : Your love, O Lord, is eternal, discard not the work of your hands.
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I thank you, Lord, with all my heart,
you have heard the words of my mouth.
Before the angels I will bless you.
I will adore before your holy temple. Response -
I thank you for your faithfulness
and love which excel all we ever knew of you.
On the day I called, you answered;
you increased the strength of my soul. Response -
The Lord is high though he looks on the lowly
and the haughty he knows from afar
Your love, O Lord, is eternal,
discard not the work of your hands. Response
Second Reading Romans 11:33-36
All that exists comes from him; all is by him and for him.
How rich are the depths of God – how deep his wisdom and knowledge – and how impossible to penetrate his motives or understand his methods! Who could ever know the mind of the Lord? Who could ever be his counsellor? Who could ever give him anything or lend him anything? All that exists comes from him; all is by him and for him. To him be glory for ever! Amen.
The Word of the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation 2 Cor 5:19
Alleluia, alleluia!
God in Christ was reconciling the world to himself
and he has entrusted to us the news that they are reconciled.
Alleluia!
or Mt 16:16
Alleluia, alleluia!
You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church.
And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it.
Alleluia!
Gospel Matthew 16:13-20
You are Peter, and I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets’.
‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said ‘the Son of the living God’.
Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church.
And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’
Then he gave the disciples strict orders not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
The Gospel of the Lord.