In our second reading today from Romans 11:33-36, St. Paul asks his Roman readers and he asks us three rhetorical questions, “For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor? Or who has given the Lord anything that he may be repaid"? St. Paul goes on to remind us that, "For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever." None of us can ever know the mind of God. None of us can ever presume to counsel God. And none of us can ever repay God for all that God has given us because everything we have comes from God.
What we can do is work diligently to build the kingdom of heaven here in Peachtree City. We work to build the kingdom of heaven through the sacraments, liturgy, music, prayer, religious education, hospitality, acts of mercy and charity, love and respect for each other. We work to build the kingdom by sharing our resources so that others can join us in our efforts to assure that God's kingdom will come "on earth as it is in heaven"(Matt. 6:10). We can share our precious God given gifts, and by doing so welcome God in our hearts and minds, our homes, our community, our state, our country and our world.
If you don’t believe that you are up for the task, consider Peter in today’s gospel from Matthew 16:13-20. Peter clearly was not the smartest disciple. His erratic behavior got him in lots of trouble with Jesus and probably everyone else. However, Peter had tremendous faith. His declaration that Jesus was “the Christ, the Son of the living God” catapulted him into a leadership position he did not seek. This “confession of faith” made Peter the first and founding member of the church that he and the other disciples would build. Peter’s faith earned him the trust and confidence of Jesus. Recognizing Peter’s special strengths, Jesus entrusted “the keys to the kingdom of heaven” to Peter.
So, like Peter, let us use our God given gifts to build the kingdom of heaven here and now.
God, well-spring of all wisdom,
and source of every insight,
you inspired Simon Peter to confess
that Jesus is the Messiah,
the Son of the living God.
On this rock of faith, you have built your church.
Pour out your Spirit in abundance,
that all may join in this profession,
and become living stones
standing firm upon the one foundation,
which is our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
AMEN.
