August 9, Thursday of the 18th Week in Ordinary Time-B
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 51
Matthew 16:13-23
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Mt. 16:16
Lord, God bless Simon Peter. During his time with you he came to know you as his Messiah and Lord. He professed his faith in who you were and your relationship to God the Father. He had come a long way from fishing on the Sea of Galilee. But he still had a way to go to understand your mission and how you would save all mankind. He couldn’t yet handle the suffering and death part of why you came among us. All of us, Lord, are on a journey of discovering who you are and what you do in our hearts. If we come to you with an open heart you reveal to us your mercy and desire for each of us. Lord, I want to be open to the revelation of the Father so I can know, love and serve you always. I too can stumble over the suffering part like Peter did. But your Passion was necessary to restore me to the Father. You forgave Peter his denial, please forgive me mine. Help me to grow in sorrow for my sins and give me a humble and contrite heart. Amen.