Memorial of Saints Sixtus II, Pope, and his Companions, Martyrs

I can relate to the Israelites in our first reading today. They are rebelling against the Lord because they need water. They miss having the grains, figs, vines, and pomegranates that they enjoyed during their time of slavery in Egypt. After all they had seen the Lord do for them, they still failed to trust God. And their doubt is contagious – even Moses doubted God’s faithfulness, perhaps manifested by his striking the rock from which the water flowed twice.

Contrast this with the bold proclamation of Simon Peter in our Gospel today – “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And for this act of faith, Jesus blesses Simon by giving him the name “Peter,” the Rock, and declaring that upon this rock Jesus will build his Church.

If we truly see Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, we will give our all to him, rather than looking for our fulfillment, joy, and peace in some other person, some experience, some feeling, or some fad of the day. What Jesus gives us is not an easy or instant fix, but rather an invitation to follow him on the path of death and resurrection. As companions of the Lord, we discover a way of getting through the pain and suffering and experience all the joy that life has to offer.

Doubt is contagious, but so is faith. By self-emptying and self-forgetting in our own difficult circumstances, we share in the passion and death of Jesus. This leads us to new life, not only in the world to come, but here and now, in the way we show patience, love, compassion, and sympathy for our fellow human beings. Through our commitment to walk with Jesus, we participate in his transformation of the world.

How can I be Christ for others today?

Let Us Pray:

Heavenly Father, as Saint Peter Julian Eymard prayed, help us to discover your action and plans in your love for us. Help us to cry out, “How good you are, oh my God! What can I do for you?” In Jesus’ name. Amen.