Dear Friends in Christ,

In our Gospel for today, Jesus is in the district of Caesarea Philippi. At Caesarea Philippi there is a massive wall of rock that is well over 100 feet straight up and about 500 feet wide. The city of Caesarea Philippi was built on top of this enormous rock. This is the setting or the backdrop for this critical exchange between Peter and our Lord.

So in the district of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:13b-16)

Dear Friends in Christ,

Happy New School Year! Saint Mary Help of Christians Catholic School began its new school year this past week! What a joy it was to walk around campus and witness the excitement of students and staff. Please pray that all our school students, families, and staff will have a year filled with growth, both academically and spiritually.

Our parish school plays a critical role in the formation of our youth. We are educating the Catholic leaders of tomorrow. I would like to take this opportunity to update you on the state of our school as we begin this new year.

Dear Friends in Christ,

Today, Peter's experience reflects situations that, more often than not, we also eventually undergo. Who has never, ever felt, at least once, that the world was crumbling around himself and then decided to let it all go and surrender to despair? Under these circumstances we must humble ourselves, revive our faith and exclaim along with the psalmist: “Show us, Lord, your mercy; grant us your salvation.” (Ps 85:7)

In ancient times, the sea was where the evil forces dwelt, the kingdom of death, a threat for all people. By “walking on the sea” (Matt 14:25), Jesus is telling us that through his death and resurrection He defeats the powers of evil and death that threaten and seek to destroy us. But often our existence is like a fragile boat, tossed around by the stormy waves of the sea of life. We hope and pray that we will safely reach the shore.

Dear Friends in Christ,

Today, the Gospel speaks of the Transfiguration of our Lord on Mount Tabor. After Peter's confession, Jesus started to say that it was necessary for the Son of Man to be condemned to death and that He would rise on the third day. This passage of the Transfiguration of Jesus has to be placed within this context. Anastasius Sinaita wrote that “He, who had donned our miserable goatskin tunics, is today dressed with a divine dress and a dazzling light wraps him up as a robe.”