23/08/2026
HOMILY BITS | 21ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
“Jesus is indeed our almighty God, but never forget that He is also our brother who understands our struggles, and our friend who walks with us through them all.”
– Rev. Fr. Denise Carl Calling
In today’s Gospel (Matthew 16:13–20), Jesus asks His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answers with faith, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” His response reminds us that knowing Jesus is more than simply knowing who He is—it is recognizing Him as the One we can truly trust and follow.
Fr. Carl reminds us that Jesus is not a distant God whom we can only turn to in prayer. He is also our brother who understands what we go through and our friend who stays with us through every struggle. When we feel lost, tired, or uncertain, we can always come to Him knowing that He understands and never leaves us alone.
Sometimes, we may not understand why certain things happen or where God is leading us. But like Peter, we are called to keep choosing faith, to trust even when we cannot see the whole picture. Our relationship with Jesus grows when we allow Him to walk with us not only in our joyful moments, but also in the difficult ones.
As we reflect on today’s Gospel, may we ask ourselves: Who is Jesus to me?
