Steady on the Rock of Peter

 

Readings 090226

I’ve noticed something stirring on social media —  

so‑called Christians walking into Catholic churches,  

claiming to “bring the Gospel to the non‑Christian Catholics.”  

They chase clicks, views, and money…  

but not more Jesus.  

No Church in the world  

is more consistently hated, resisted, and attacked  

than the Catholic Church.  

And Jesus told us why:  

“If the world hates you, know that it hated Me first.”  

If your mission is to preach Christ,  

why begin by attacking Christ’s Church?  

The Church built upon the rock of Peter —  

the first Christian preacher,  

the voice of Pentecost,  

the shepherd who carried the Gospel  

from Jerusalem to Samaria,  

to Lydia and Joppa,  

to Caesarea, Antioch,  

and finally to Rome.  

After his martyrdom,  

Linus, Cletus, and Clement  

carried that same flame.  

We are challenged today  

by those who call themselves Christian  

yet do not know the real history  

of the Church they criticize.  

Saint Paul saw this spirit long ago:  

“While there is jealousy and rivalry among you…  

are you not walking according to the flesh?”  

Some say, “I belong to Paul,”  

others, “I belong to Apollos.”  

But Christ is not divided.  

We are called to preach Christ  

to those who do not know Him —  

not to divide His Body,  

but to draw hearts toward His truth.  

Jesus Himself said,  

“To the other towns also I must proclaim the Good News,  

for this is why I was sent.”  

So let us stay steady,  

stay humble,  

and stay rooted  

in the Church Christ founded.  

For the rock still stands,  

and the light still shines. 

Prayer

Lord Jesus, 

Keep our hearts steady on the rock 

You set beneath us. 

Holy Spirit, quiet every rivalry 

and stir up only charity.

Father, guard Your Church 

from jealousy, pride, and confusion. 

Teach us to answer every insult with mercy 

and every challenge with truth. 

And let our lives preach the Gospel 

more loudly than our words. 

Amen