Newton Basumatari csc –
Readings: Jer 31: 31-34; Mt 16: 13-23
In our day-to-day living, we want to be known to others by our identity. We see in the first reading that God reveals his identity through his action as merciful and forgiving. When we are faithful to his covenant, he blesses us with his gifts.
That is what the saint of the day shows us. Saint John Mary Vianney faced lots of difficulties in his life, but he always remained loyal and faithful to Jesus’ words. Therefore, God made him his instrument to reveal his nature and his identity.
In the gospel reading, we see that many of Jesus’ followers wrongly identified Jesus as John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. But Peter gives the true identity of Jesus by saying that “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” When Peter expressed his faith, Jesus made a covenant with Peter that he will build his church on Peter.
Today Jesus invites all of us to have faith like Peter, and we need to be loyal and faithful like saint John Mary Vianney to experience his covenant. Today let my prayer be, ‘Lord give me faith like
Saint Peter and help me to be loyal and faithful in following your words like Saint John Mary Vianney.’