Is 22:19-23; Ps 137; Rom 11:33-36; Mt 16:13-20
Today’s Old Testament reading powerfully illuminates the New Testament reading. In Matthew’s gospel reading today Jesus gives Peter power to “bind and loose”. Isaiah, predicting the expulsion of self-seeking officials, describes what this power means: Eliakim, newly appointed as “master of the palace”, is given complete authority to decide who may enter the House of David – and who may not. And he is to be “a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the House of Judah”. Like Eliakim, Peter, and – in chapter 18 – all the apostles, are given authority to make eternal decisions, which will be upheld by God.
In last Sunday’s reading from chapter 11 of Romans, Paul suggested that he was sent as the apostle to the pagans “in order to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them”. Israel, even while attacking the gospel, is still God’s “beloved”, since God never takes back his promises. This week Paul brings us to gasp in awe and wonder at the daring brilliance of God’s plan, which we can never fully comprehend.
This chapter of Matthew’s gospel began with Jesus finally breaking off discussions with the Jewish authorities. Now recognised as divine, Jesus, begins to form his disciples into a community to continue his work after his death.
Psalm Response: Your love, O Lord, is eternal: discard not the work of your hands.
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