A GREAT WAY TO BEGIN TODAY!
SUBSCRIBE FREE: LiveITToday.us
LISTEN NOW: Live IT Today Podcast A new episode drops every Saturday.
GOD’S DECLARATION TO YOU TODAY
I am the Christ, the Son of the living God; build your life upon Me, and the powers of darkness will not prevail.
INVOCATION
Come, Holy Spirit! Through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother Mary, open my heart to hear and receive all that You desire for me. Draw me ever more deeply into the Love and Life of the Blessed Trinity!
GOSPEL | Matthew 16:13-20
Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and
he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter said in reply,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said to him in reply,
“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Then he strictly ordered his disciples
to tell no one that he was the Christ.
EVERY DAY QUESTION
What struck you? Challenged you? Inspired you? What questions did it raise?
GOING DEEPER
Everything changes when Jesus’ question becomes personal: Who do you say that I am?
If your daily choices, anxieties, words, and priorities answered for you, what would they say about who Jesus is to you?
Jesus brings the disciples to Caesarea Philippi, a region marked by pagan worship and imperial power. Near this place stood shrines to false gods and a cavern associated with the underworld. Against that backdrop, Jesus asks the question that stands at the center of every human life: “Who do you say that I am?”
Many answers in the crowd are respectful. John the Baptist. Elijah. Jeremiah. A prophet. But none is enough. Jesus is not simply a wise teacher, an inspiring example, or one spiritual option among many. Peter declares the truth revealed by the Father: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
That confession is the rock beneath every saint-forming home. If Jesus is truly the Christ, then our marriage, our money, our schedules, our wounds, our children, our plans, and our fears belong to Him. We do not merely add Jesus to a busy life. We build our life upon Him.
Jesus then gives Peter a new name and a real mission. Petros means rock, and the keys evoke the steward entrusted with authority in the royal household. Christ establishes His Church not upon private opinion, but upon the confession of faith He Himself reveals and upon the apostolic authority He gives to Peter and the apostles.
Our domestic churches need this same clarity. Our children will hear many answers to the question of Jesus: a moral teacher, a cultural symbol, a personal preference, a religious figure among others. But we must help them know Him as Peter did: the living Son of God, our Savior, our Lord, and the One who alone has the words of eternal life.
The Enemy is always trying to build families upon shifting sand: approval, achievement, money, politics, pleasure, or fear. Yet Christ promises that the gates of the netherworld will not prevail against His Church. Gates do not advance; they cannot withstand the Church founded on the Rock. Confession becomes courage; faith becomes foundation.
Build saint-forming homes; pray over your children by name; act in the power of the Holy Spirit by professing Jesus Christ clearly and building every part of your home upon Him today.
The Lord made Simon Peter alone, whom he named “rock”, the foundation of his Church. He gave him the keys of his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock. “The office of binding and loosing which was given to Peter was also assigned to the college of apostles united to its head.” This pastoral office of Peter and the other apostles belongs to the Church’s very foundation and is continued by the bishops under the primacy of the Pope. (CCC, 881)
LIFE APPLICATION QUESTIONS
In My Heart: Where am I tempted to treat Jesus as important, but not truly Lord?
In My Home: What would it look like for our family to build more intentionally upon Christ and His Church?
In My World: How can I give a clear, humble witness today that Jesus is the Son of the living God?
FAMILY LIVE IT
Make some time today to gather together and, going around … complete this sentence: “Jesus is ________ to me because ________.”
Then pray over each person by name. Ask that each know personally the love and Lordship of Jesus, be freed from every lie of the Enemy that weakens or confuses their faith, receive strength to overcome temptation, and be given joyful courage to confess Christ and live visibly as His disciple.
Daily Challenge: Say aloud today: Jesus, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God; I build my life upon You.
DAILY PARENT & GRANDPARENT BLESSING
LORD JESUS CHRIST, let Your holy anointing be upon each of our children, grandchildren, and godchildren this day and week, including all to whom they are called in vocation, and all future generations! In Your Sacred Name we claim them for You! We renounce all whispers, lies, and influences of the Enemy! We pray right now that each know Your loving Presence, be forged in virtue, and be flooded with an abundance of Your Holy Spirit to live fully their identity and mission in You now and through all eternity, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother! Amen.
PARENT BLESSING PROJECT: bit.ly/ParentBlessing
GOING VERTICAL
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
Just as the vertical beam upholds the horizontal beam of the Cross, so too does undistracted, dedicated daily turning to God as our lifeblood uphold and strengthen every part of life. Start with just three minutes. Wait patiently for the breakthrough beyond the noise. Let Him speak.
ENTER THE RIDE OF A LIFETIME: LifeTimeRide.com
Listen to the moving song, Ride Of A Lifetime:
Spotify | Apple | Other
TODAY’S SPONSORSHIP
Sponsored by the generosity of the Pat & Patti McNamara Family, American Crafted Furniture 6639 Airport Highway Holland, OH 43528 | 419-725-7880
Would you, your business or organization like to help us spread these daily reflections? Contact us at Alive@MassImpact.us to learn more.
WE WANT TO PRAY FOR YOU!
Please share your prayer intentions in the comments at LiveITToday.us