Holy Infant Catholic Church
Father Michaels Weekly Thoughts
WEEKLY THOUGHTS 21st SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME AUGUST 23rd 2026
Dear people of God, welcome to the celebration of the 21st Sunday in Ordinary time. In the gospel Reading of last Sunday Jesus praised the persistent prayer of the Canaanite woman to Jesus with deep faith. Jesus is moved with prayer offered with great faith despite of our status or racial background. Let us continue to grow in faith as we endeavor to pray.
In the Gospel Reading Matthew 16: 13-20; we hear Jesus asking his disciples two questions about what people say of his Identity. “Who do the people say that I am?” The disciples mention what most people believe to be; Jesus is a Prophet of Isarel. Jesus turns to his disciples; “but you who do you say that I am?” Peter takes on the lead to respond, “You are the Messiah, the Son of God.’’
Jesus is pleased with Peter’s profession and Jesus calls Peter; rock and Jesus promised Peter special authority over the Church; “You are rock on which I will build my Church”- Community of believers whose faith is grounded in Jesus professed by Peter.
Jesus continued to speak to his disciples of the two disturbing events – suffering and death Jesus would endure as Messiah and Son of God. Peter reacted that no such thing must happen to him. Jesus responded to Peter not to judge by human standards, but by God’s. Jesus chose obedience to God’s will.
Jesus here touched the most disturbing issues to humanity; suffering and death or the cross that has bothered humanity for so long. The disciples never thought Jesus the Son of God and Messiah to endure suffering and death.
In his ministry, Jesus showed compassion to the sick, suffering and hungry. He invited his disciples to embrace suffering and carry the cross and come after him every day in order to attain eternal life.
Let us learn from Jesus to die to self to find eternal life in Jesus and the strength to carry our cross with hope and victory to the end as Jesus carried his, trusting in his Father. Losing my life to Jesus is one aspect of gaining it. This is the way walked by the Saints following the footsteps of Jesus.
Have a great week.