Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck
A reflection on the Gospel of Matthew 16:13-19
My beloved brothers and sisters, today we hear the gentle voice of our Lord calling out: “My son, my daughter, I love you so very much and am always with you; come and be by my side and together our hearts shall be one; one with our Father in heaven, united with the Holy Spirit.” These words, so simple and so intimate, are at the very heart of our faith. They remind us that Christianity is not just a set of rules or distant promises; it is a relationship. God wants to be close to us, to make our hearts one with His.
And yet, as close as God draws us, He also sends us. Today, we remember our calling as Christians. We help others move closer to God and walk with them on the path that leads to our Lord. This task doesn’t belong to priests or saints alone. God calls each of us, like Saint Peter and Saint Paul, to keep the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.
The Keys to the Kingdom
What are these keys? They aren’t something we can hold in our hands. They are brought to us by faith; by our simple Yes to God’s love. When we open our hearts and welcome the Father’s love, the Holy Spirit draws us closer to Jesus, especially through prayer and the sacraments. In the Eucharist, we encounter Christ’s living presence, the Paschal Mystery made real: He is our Lord, our Dearest Friend, our Guide, our Support, our Savior. The more we partake of Him, remembering His sacrifice and resurrection, the more He transforms us into His likeness. He then sends us to share Him with others.
Peter’s Confession: The Foundation of Our Mission
Today’s Gospel from Matthew highlights this very mission. When Jesus poses the profound question, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon, whom Jesus would later call Peter; meaning Petra or “rock” in Greek, steps forward as the first to proclaim: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus responds, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.” Peter’s declaration of faith becomes the bedrock upon which Jesus establishes His Church. This mission isn’t exclusive to Peter; it is entrusted to all of us, the entire Body of Christ.
The Keys Entrusted to the Church
Saint Augustine reminds us that the keys were given to the entire Church, considered as one. When Jesus said, “To you I give,” He meant it for all who make up His Body: for all times, past, present, and future.
So what does this mean for us, here and now? It means we follow Peter’s example: we confess our faith, claim Jesus as the Son of God, and share this Good News. We trust, obey, and love our LORD God, deepening our relationship with Him and entering into His covenant of love.
Strength in Faith
This isn’t easy. From Peter’s day until now, many have given everything, even their lives, to build up the Body of Christ. But as Saint Paul writes to Timothy, “The Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the proclamation might be completed…and I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly Kingdom.” We are never alone. The Lord is always with us, protecting us and giving us strength to help others find their way home.
Called to Proclaim God’s Love
As key holders to the kingdom of heaven, we proclaim the Father’s love—revealed through Jesus—in everything we do. When we allow the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts, love pours out of us so abundantly that we cannot help but share it. We begin to see our neighbors as God sees them; we recognize Jesus in the faces of those around us. In this, we find true peace, joy, and love.
This is how we fulfill our calling: by loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbor as Jesus loves us. We say yes to the Father’s will and help build up the Body of Christ around us, united with the Holy Trinity and in community with each other.
My dear children, you hold the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Go out with love. Give praise, thanksgiving, and glory to our Father in heaven, and love those around you as He loves you.
Amen.
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About Our Guest Blogger
Blessed Carlo Acutis once said, “Not me, but God.” His words echo deeply in my own spiritual life. This blog is not about me, but about the work of the Holy Spirit. I choose to remain anonymous because the voice behind these reflections isn’t what matters — the One speaking through them is.
I am a lifelong Catholic with a deep love for Scripture, the sacraments, and the quiet ways God speaks through everyday life. Live the Eucharist was born from my desire to share how the Gospel and the Eucharist shape not just my Sundays, but every step of the journey.
My hope is that these reflections bless you, challenge you, and draw you closer to Jesus — truly present in the Eucharist and profoundly present in your daily life.
