XXI Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In this Sunday’s Gospel, we find Peter’s profession of faith. As our Lord Jesus asks His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter proclaims, “You are the Christ.” And Jesus responds, “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.” This is a pivotal moment: our Lord Jesus Christ establishes a visible community grounded in the apostles, with Peter entrusted with a unique role among them.

This profession of faith is not Peter’s alone; it is one that the Church continues to make. Every Sunday at Mass, we too profess our faith as we say in the Nicene Creed: “I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.” These four marks of the Church express something essential about who we are. The Church is one because Christ founded her and unites her in faith. She is holy because Christ, her Head, is holy and continues to sanctify her through the Sacraments. She is catholic because she is universal, sent to all peoples and nations. And she is apostolic because she is built upon the foundation of the apostles, with Peter as the first among them.

These truths remind us that the identity and mission of the Church come from Christ Himself. The holiness of the Church flows from Christ, who is her Head, not from us. Her catholicity calls her to reach all peoples and nations, while her apostolic character keeps her rooted in the faith of Christ handed down through the apostles. Peter’s confession of faith, then, becomes our confession as well. Despite our human weaknesses, we trust that Christ remains with His Church, especially through the Sacraments and His Word. As we reflect on Peter’s confession and our Lord’s promise that His Church will endure, may we remain steadfast in faith and confident that Christ continues to guide His Church.

Yet, if we are to profess this faith with conviction, we must also seek to understand it more deeply. My brothers and sisters, I encourage you to continue growing in your knowledge and understanding of our Catholic faith. The Church has many treasures, and our Catechism speaks beautifully about what we believe and explains it with great clarity. In a special way during this week, I invite you to read the part of the Catechism dedicated to the explanation of our faith, particularly the Creed. Let the Catechism become a trusted reference as you continue to instruct yourselves in the richness of our Catholic faith and tradition.

The study of our faith is not simply about gaining knowledge; it is about growing in our relationship with the One in whom we believe. May our study of the faith lead us not only to know more about Christ, but to know Him more deeply, love Him more faithfully, and confidently profess with Peter: “You are the Christ.”

With Blessings,
+Fr. Gabriel Barrera