Commentary: 21 OT A

Isaiah 22: 15, 19-23

Psalm 138

Romans 11: 33-36

Matthew 16: 13-20



The connection in the readings today is the idea of the giving of keys of authority. In the First Reading, the prophet Isaiah announces the deposition of one official and the promotion of another, who “will receive the key of the House of David on his shoulder; when he opens, no one will shut; when he shuts, no one shall open.” [This passage is also used as the basis for the Great O-Antiphon O Clavis David, sung by the Church on December 20.] The Responsorial Psalm sings of the great purpose of God, “Lord, Your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of Your hands.” In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks the disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” They respond in various ways, reporting what they have heard. But when Jesus ask, “And who do you say that I am?” Peter responds with “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!”



Jesus replies that this knowledge is from the Father Himself, and says that upon Peter (the Rock),He will build His church, and the “jaws of death will not prevail against it, and I will entrust to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, that whatever you declare bound on earth is bound in heaven, and whatever you declare loosed on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Saint John Chrysostom, reflecting on this exchange, says: “The reason God’s plan permitted Peter to sin several times was because he was to be entrusted with the whole people of God, and sinlessness (added to his native severity) might have made him unforgiving toward his brothers and sisters. This was God’s providential dispensation! He to whom the Church was to be entrusted, he, the pillar of the churches, the harbor of faith, was allowed to sin; Peter, the teacher of the world, was permitted to sin, so that having been forgiven himself, he would (in his use of the keys) be merciful to others.” (On Sts. Peter and Elijah)



Our in-course reading of Romans continues with this doxology. When we hear Paul affirm, “How deep are the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God!” we are challenged to understand that our theologizing about God, no matter how well-meant, is destined to fall short of its goal. “For who has known the mind of God?…for from Him and through Him and for Him, all things are.” In this context, then, all of our attempts must bow and say, “To Him be glory forever. Amen!”