21st Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time –
Year A
Building
the Church of Christ
Isaiah 22:19 - 23 Romans 11:33 - 36 Matthew 16:13 - 20
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus!
Today, we feel that the three readings seem to tell three different stories. Isaiah speaks about Eliakim receiving the key of David. St. Paul speaks with wonder about the wisdom of God. And in the Gospel, Jesus gives Peter the keys of the Kingdom and promises to build His Church.
But
when we listen carefully, we discover that all three readings lead us to one
central message: God is
building His people, and He invites each one of us to become part of that work.
That
is what we are celebrating today: Building the Church of Christ.
God entrusts responsibility – Isaiah
22:19 – 23
In
the first reading from Isaiah, God removes Shebna from his position and chooses
Eliakim. God says: “I
will place the key of the House of David on his shoulder.” The key is a symbol of authority and responsibility.
Eliakim
is not given the key simply for his own honour. He is given the key so that he
can serve God’s people.
This is an important lesson for us today.
In
the eyes of the world, leadership often means power, status, influence and
recognition. But in the eyes of God, leadership means: responsibility, service and
sacrifice.
This
applies not only to priests and bishops.
It applies to parents.
It applies to teachers.
It applies to community leaders.
It applies to those who serve in our parish.
It applies to every Christian.
Whenever God gives us responsibility, He is asking: How will you use this gift for others?
Parents have been entrusted with children.
Teachers have been entrusted with students.
Employers have been entrusted with workers.
Parish ministers have been entrusted with God’s people.
Young people have been entrusted with gifts, talents and opportunities.
The
question is not: What can
I gain from this responsibility? but: Whom can I serve through it? That is how we begin building the Church of
Christ.
God is greater than our understanding – Romans
11:33 – 36
St. Paul takes us deeper. After reflecting on God’s mysterious plan of salvation, he cries out: “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!”
Paul
recognizes something very important: We cannot understand everything God is doing. Sometimes
we want God to explain everything.
Why did this happen?
Why did this person suffer?
Why did my prayer not receive the answer I wanted?
Why is the Church facing difficulties?
Why is my family going through this situation?
But
Paul reminds us today: God’s
wisdom is greater than ours. We see only a small part of the picture. God sees the whole
picture.
This
is essential for building the Church. Because sometimes we become discouraged
when things do not happen according to our plans.
We
may think: This is my ministry. This is my parish. My way is the right way. But
we need to remember always the Church does not belong to us. The Church belongs to Christ. We are servants. Christ is
the builder. That is why humility is essential. We must be able to say: Lord, I may not understand
everything, but I trust You.
Jesus builds His Church – Matthew
16:13 - 20
Then
we come to the Gospel. Jesus asks His disciples: “Who do you say that I am?”
Peter
answers: “You are the
Christ, the Son of the living God.” This is the foundation. Peter recognizes who
Jesus truly is. And Jesus says: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.”
Notice
the words: “I will build
my Church.”
Jesus
does not say: Peter will build his Church.
He
says: “I will build my
Church.”
This
is very important. The Church is Christ’s Church. We are called to participate in building it, but we are not
the owners.
Christ
is the foundation.
Christ
is the head.
Christ is the builder.
And
we are His instruments.
The
First Vatican Council solemnly affirmed the primacy of Peter and his successors. This teaching is rooted
in the words of Christ Himself.
When
Peter professed his faith, saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Mt 16: 16),
Jesus entrusted him with a special mission: “You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my
Church… I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.”
These words remind us that the Church is not built on human power or personal achievement. Christ is the foundation, and He chooses people to serve and strengthen His Church.
After His resurrection, Jesus entrusted Peter with the care of His people: “Feed my lambs… Feed my sheep” (Jn
21: 15 – 17).
Peter
was therefore called not to rule for his own glory, but to serve, guide, protect, and
shepherd God’s people.
This mission continues through Peter’s successors.
For
us today, this is a reminder that
building the Church of Christ is a responsibility entrusted to all of us.
We are called to support the Church, remain united in faith, and serve one
another with humility and love. Christ builds His Church, but He invites us to become living stones in
that building.
We are the Living Stones of Christ
We
are all baptized in Christ, and therefore we are called to help build His
Church.
How
do we build the Church? Not only by building churches or organizing programmes.
We
build the Church by building people through love and faith.
When
a mother teaches her child to pray, she builds the Church.
When
a father teaches his child to forgive, he builds the Church.
When
a young person chooses honesty, he or she builds the Church.
When we avoid gossip, forgive others, visit the sick, welcome the lonely, and help those in need, we are building the Church.
Every act of love, kindness,
forgiveness, and service is another stone in the Church of Christ. We are the
living stones, and Christ is the foundation.
Let me share a Story
A
man saw a church being built. Many big stones were being placed in the walls.
He also saw one small stone lying on the ground.
He
asked the worker, what
can this little stone do?
The
worker replied, this
small stone will fill a space that no big stone can fill.
Brothers
and sisters, sometimes we may think, I am only one person. What can I do?
But
in God’ Church, everyone
has a place and everyone has a purpose.
A
small prayer, a kind word, forgiveness, helping the sick, welcoming someone, or
helping a person in need - all these small acts help to build the Church of Christ.
We are the living stones. Christ is the
foundation. And every one of us has a place in His Church.
Yes
friends, the three readings give us three powerful lessons. So today let us
make a commitment: Lord, build Your Church through me. Use my hands to
serve. Use my words to encourage. Use my heart to love. Use my home to
strengthen faith. Use my life to witness to the Gospel.
And
when I become discouraged, remind me: It is not my Church. It is Your Church. I am only a living stone
in the building You are creating.
As
St. Francis de Sales reminds
us: “Be who you are and be that perfectly well.” Let us use the
gifts God has given us to serve others and strengthen His Church. Christ is the foundation. We are
the living stones. Together, let us build a Church of faith, love, unity, and
hope.
LIVE
JESUS!
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