Jeremiah 31:31-34 / Matthew 16:13-23
One of the things about life that we dislike and resent is when others take our kindness for weakness.
Especially so when we are the superior and they are our subordinates.
We want to be kind and gentle, to have compassion and understanding when they do wrong and deserve to be punished.
Yet, we let it go, thinking that by our kindness and understanding, they will be grateful and learn from their mistakes.
In the first reading, God brought the people out of slavery and even make a covenant with them.
But the people were unfaithful and ungrateful and even broke the covenant with God.
God had to punish them to show them who is the Master.
Yet, God also forgave them and restored them after the punishment.
In the gospel, Jesus told Peter that He will build the Church on him and gave him authority.
But almost the next moment, Peter thought that he can make Jesus change His mind about having to suffer.
Jesus had to show Peter who is the Master, and that his thoughts are not along the ways of God.
Jesus is our Master and Saviour. Let us be faithful to Him and walk in the way of His teachings and see life with His eyes.
Then the gates of the underworld will not hold out against us.