Sofia Loren

“I lived fasting for everything, as a girl from Pozzuoli, during the War. Ended up in Rome by accident. It wasn’t easy for me to understand what was inside me, what I wanted to do, how I could respect the education my mother received. I went a little here, a little there... I say something big: should I be 20 or do I start my career today? Despite the war, maybe it was easier in my day. For girls, today, everything seems to me extremely complicated: education, personal relationships, models imposed by society, these social media... I just lived everything with positivity. And it is enough, always. I try to do something positive every day not only for myself but for the people around me. The meaning of my days is very simple: enjoy every good news my children tell me. The beauty of my grandchildren fills me with joy“

Sofia Loren

Gentle Promptings of Grace

August 31, 2023 Thursday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time Readings for Today

Video “Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” Matthew 24:42–44 Our Lord contrasts the call to stay awake with those who are asleep. Clearly, by stating “Stay awake!” so emphatically, Jesus is also telling us that it is easy to fall asleep, spiritually speaking. So are you more often awake and attentive to His presence? Or are you most often asleep and therefore unaware of His presence? First of all, this exhortation must be understood as a reference to our passing from this life. And though most who are younger do not expect to pass suddenly and unprepared, we know that this does happen. It could happen to any one of us at any time, unexpectedly and without warning. Therefore, we must see this passionate exhortation from Jesus to be a clear warning to always be ready to meet Him in our particular judgment upon our passing from this life. With that said, this passage is also an invitation to become increasingly aware of the countless ways in which Jesus speaks to us each and every day. The goal of the Christian life must be to be continually at prayer. This does not mean that we are necessarily “saying” prayers all day every day. Rather, it means that we form a spiritual habit of becoming continually attentive to the promptings of grace given to us throughout our lives. God wants to lead us always. He wants to inspire us with His grace every day all day. He wants us to have one eye on the things that occupy our day and the other eye upon Him, allowing Him to gently lead us through everything. Sometimes we can fall into the trap of thinking that God is only concerned about the big decisions of life. But the truth is that God is most clearly found in the details of life, even the smallest ones: a short exchange of words with a family member, a smile at a co-worker, a kind gesture to a stranger, and a random prayer offered for an anonymous person in need of that prayer. All of these are but a few examples of the many ways that God wants to commune with us every day throughout the day. And this can only happen if we are continually awake and attentive to His gentle promptings of grace. How is this accomplished? How do we become attentive to God as He speaks to us and guides us every moment of every day? It is done by forming a spiritual habit of ongoing prayer. We begin by setting aside time for prayer every day, time in which all we do is pray. We set aside all distractions and begin by offering prayers, meditating upon scripture, attending the Mass, speaking from our hearts, etc. But from there, this special time of prayer, set aside exclusively for God, must begin to have an effect upon us throughout the day. And when we get distracted by the things of the world, we stop again, focus exclusively on God, and invite Him to be with us yet again. And then this is done again, and again, and again. Prayer must become a consuming habit by which God becomes present to everything we do. When this happens, we become spiritually “awake” to Him always. Reflect, today, upon this clear and concise exhortation from our Lord. “Stay awake!” Let those words resonate within you. Hear them as a call to form this holy habit of prayer throughout the day. If you do so, God will slowly take over your life and lead you each and every day into His holy will. And through you, God will be able to extend His love and mercy to many who are in your life and beyond. My demanding Lord, You desire me to live my day, every day, in such a way that I am continually attentive to You. Please help me to form a holy habit of listening to You and responding to all that You say to me always. My life is Yours, dear Lord. Lead me continually by Your gentle Hand of grace. Jesus, I trust in You.

7 Wonders of the World

Peter Wade

What a difficult task to create my own personal list of only seven structures and natural features that represent the most amazing things I’ve seen in person. First, I would need to contemplate the various lists of wonders circulating about the Internet compiled by committees, experts, and popularity polls. I’ll consider which of those I should keep and which I should replace.

I can draw on my personal experience since I’ve visited all but one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, the Seven Wonders of the Industrial World, the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and the New 7 Wonders of the World. I’ve also visited the only remaining structure of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the estimated locations of five of the other six ancient wonders. And I’ve seen most of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages. Those experiences have ranged from underwhelming to life changing! But how can I narrow down a world full of beauty and wonder?

I’ve eliminated a few of the wonders that were visually less than impressive to me, although each represents something fascinating:

• The Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy (Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages)
• Paricutin volcano in Mexico (Seven Natural Wonders of the World)
• Stonehenge in England (Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages)
• Zuiderzee Works in the Netherlands (Seven Wonders of the Modern World)

The finalists

Like any good search committee, I’ve narrowed down the massive pool of candidates to a short list of finalists. I’ve decided that my seven wonders will be comprised of four scenic locations, two manmade structures, and one that incorporates both natural and manmade influences. I’ve consulted many lists of wonders, read through dozens of rankings of the world’s most beautiful places and the most impressive feats of human construction, and I’ve also added some of my own choices.

• 10 scenic finalists we’ve visited (PICK FOUR)
• The Amazon rainforest in South America (New 7 Wonders of Nature)
• The Grand Canyon in Arizona (Seven Natural Wonders of the World)
• The Great Barrier Reef in Australia (Seven Natural Wonders of the World)
• Hạ Long Bay in Vietnam (New 7 Wonders of Nature)
• Iguazú Falls in Brazil (New 7 Wonders of Nature)
• The Norwegian fjords in Norway (not on any wonders lists)
• The Skeleton Coast in Namibia (not on any wonders lists)
• Tongariro National Park in New Zealand (not on any wonders lists)
• Torres del Paine National Park in Chile (not on any wonders lists)
• Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming (not on any wonders lists)
• 10 manmade finalists we’ve visited (PICK TWO)
• The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa in Egypt (Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages)
• The Channel Tunnel in England/France (Seven Wonders of the Modern World)
• The CN Tower in Canada (Seven Wonders of the Modern World)
• The Colosseum in Italy (New 7 Wonders of the World, Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages)
• The Empire State Building in New York (Seven Wonders of the Modern World)
• The Giza Pyramids in Egypt (Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, New 7 Wonders of the World)
• Hagia Sophia in Turkey(Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages)
• Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum in Malta (not on any wonders lists)
• The Palace of Versailles in France (not on any wonders lists)
• The Porcelain Tower of Nanjing in China (Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages)
• 10 feats of human construction amidst natural scenery we’ve visited (PICK ONE)
• Angkor Wat in Cambodia (not on any wonders lists)
• Christ the Redeemer (New 7 Wonders of the World) and Guanabara Bay in Brazil(Seven Natural Wonders of the World)
• The Golden Gate Bridge in California (Seven Wonders of the Modern World)
• The Great Wall of China (New 7 Wonders of the World, Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages)
• The Hoover Dam in Arizona/Nevada (Seven Wonders of the Industrial World)
• Machu Picchu in Peru (New 7 Wonders of the World)
• Mont-Saint-Michel in France(not on any wonders lists)
• The Sphinx Observatory in Switzerland (not on any wonders lists)
• The Taj Mahal in India (New 7 Wonders of the World)
• Volubilis in Morocco (not on any wonders lists)

My personal Seven Wonders of the World

These are the final selections for my personal seven wonders. Unfortunately, I’m leaving out some amazing places that I wish I didn’t have to eliminate. Four of my top five don’t even appear on the typical seven-wonders lists.

1.) Antarctica (not on any wonders lists)

Immediately, I’ve gone off script. But I promise this is the only addition outside of the finalists listed above. While composing the final list, I reflected on my exploration of Antarctica. It’s simply the most stunning, untouched, otherworldly place I've ever visited. Nothing will ever top the feeling of immersing myself in this raw, untarnished continent with its unfathomable scale, pristine water, brutal weather, resilient wildlife, volcanic influences, and an unimaginable volume of ice occupying nearly 3% of our planet’s total land area. The world’s most remote continent must rank #1 on my list.

2.) Torres del Paine National Park in Chile (not on any wonders lists)

The South American region of Patagonia is a massive area largely untouched by human influence. Its one-of-a-kind scenic views are diverse and numerous. It’s simply one of the most surreal places on the planet. And Torres del Paine National Park is the perfect microcosm of Patagonia condensed into only 448,280 acres (181,414 ha). Wildlife from condors and flamingos to pumas and penguins flourish here. From its penetrating glaciers and jagged peaks of the Patagonian Andes to riverways and shockingly bright blue waters, this is one of the most worthwhile adventures on earth.

3.) Norwegian fjords in Norway (not on any wonders lists)

The fjords along Norway’s western coastline are probably the most heavenly features I’ve ever seen in person. The snow-capped mountains, deep blue water, fields of wildflowers, dramatic valleys etched by glaciers, and even a few remote sandy beaches make this collectively one of the most amazing representations of nature you’ll ever see.

4.) The Giza Pyramids in Egypt (Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, New 7 Wonders of the World)

The photographs often convince us that Egypt’s three most famous pyramids are situated in the middle of a remote desert. When you finally visit them in person, you might be surprised by the buzzing touristy atmosphere and its juxtaposition against the urban dwellings of Cairo’s metropolitan area. But stare at these ancient structures, block out the noise, and consider that the tallest manmade thing in the world for nearly 4,000 years was impossibly constructed around 2570 BC. For its sheer size and durability as the last remaining ancient wonder of the world, it must be ranked on my personal list.

5.) Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming (not on any wonders lists)

While many national parks in the United States rank among the most beautiful places in the world, Yellowstone is special. Not thoroughly explored by European immigrants until the 1860s, this unbelievably diverse region contains over half the world’s geysers and hydrothermal features in an area one-fifth the size of Switzerland. There are more than 300 waterfalls and over 1,000 archeological sites dating back to 11,000 years of human influence. Yellowstone supports significant populations of bison, wolves, elk, and grizzly bears, and over 300 species of birds. While it pains me to leave out the parks of Alaska, Utah, and Canada, this is surely one of the most important natural areas in the world.

6.) Machu Picchu in Peru (New 7 Wonders of the World)

The perpetual hype that Machu Picchu receives from travel experts did not diminish the overwhelming awe we experienced in person. It lives up its reputation. This intricate village constructed in a shockingly inhospitable location in the mid-1400s had 1,000 households and a cleverly terraced farming system on sheer cliffs. Interesting architectural features on their own, it’s the staggering views of the eastern Andes towering over the Sacred Valley of the Incas that make this my favorite blend of nature and human presence.

7.) Hagia Sophia in Turkey (Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages)

Built of Roman brick as far back as AD 346, this is one of the most impressive religious structures I've visited, comparable to the jaw-dropping effect of seeing cathedrals like Sagrada Familia in Spain (1882), St. Peter’s in Vatican City (1626), and Duomo di Milano in Italy (1386). But Hagia Sofia predates these by at least a thousand years and boasts stunning interior detail and a staggering size. Its age and architecture make this mosque truly incredible, and I’ve always marveled at how such an amazing building could have been built so long ago. I’ll add it as the second structure on the list.

Honorable Mention:

The Skeleton Coast in Namibia (not on any wonders lists)

The uniqueness of the ocean crashing into the desert and a wide array of wildlife made this one of the most memorable adventures we’ve ever taken. If I made a list of seven natural wonders, this would definitely be included.

Hail Mary, Full of Grace…

MOST HOLY VIRGIN MARY who, to inspire me with the fullest confidence, hast been willing to take the sweet name of Mother of Perpetual Help, I acknowledge that my sins render me unworthy to be admitted among the number of thy privileged children. Nevertheless, desirous of enjoying thy merciful favor, I cast myself at thy feet and humbly prostrate before thee, I consecrate to thee my understanding, that I may always think of consecrate to thee my heart in order that, after ALMIGHTY GOD, I may love thee above all things.

O my Sovereign Lady, deign to receive me among the number of thy favored children, take me under thy protection, help me in all my spiritual and temporal wants, but especially at the hour of my death.

O Mother of Perpetual Help, I know that thou lovest me more than I can love myself, I entrust all my interests to thy care: dispose of me, and all that belongs to me, according to thy good pleasure.

O Mother, bless me, and by thy powerful intercession support my weakness, so that having been faithful in serving thee during this life, I may praise thee during this life, I may Praise thee, Love thee and Thank thee eternally in the next. AMEN.

HAIL MARY, FULL OF GRACE…

The Firmness and Strength of Love

August 30, 2023 Wednesday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time Readings for Today

Video Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth. Even so, on the outside you appear righteous, but inside you are filled with hypocrisy and evildoing.”  Matthew 23:27–28 This would not have been an easy thing for the scribes and Pharisees to hear. It is a hard truth, spoken by our Lord, partly in an attempt to shake them free of their sin. And even though they may not have enjoyed hearing this clear condemnation spoken, since it came from the Savior of the World, we can be sure that these are words of the deepest love and were spoken so that these men would repent and change their ways. Perhaps each of us, at times, feels like criticizing another. Most often, when we feel this way, it stems from our own personal sin of anger. Perhaps we were hurt by another and that hurt results in a desire for a form of vengeance that comes from anger. But this was not the case with Jesus. First, these words were spoken by Jesus to his disciples and to the crowds of people, not only to the scribes and Pharisees. So in many ways Jesus spoke this for the good of those who were suffering under the misguided leadership of these religious leaders. But Jesus knew that these leaders would also hear His words, so He spoke those words to them. But unlike us, He did it out of perfect virtue so as to care for their souls. At times, each one of us needs to hear Jesus rebuke us in love. If any of the scribes and Pharisees were open at that time, then Jesus’ words would have first stung them to the heart but then had the powerful effect of challenging them to change. They needed this and so do we. When we become stuck in our sins, especially if obstinacy sets in, then we need to allow Jesus to challenge us firmly. Such a challenge can be rattling, but that rattling is sometimes necessary. Emotion and passion can lead to sin, but it can also lead to repentance and conversion. The passion with which Jesus spoke became an instrument by which their own passions made them sit up and take notice. The result was that they either became more steeped in their sin or they repented. And though most became even more steeped in sin, which ultimately resulted in their persecution and death of Jesus, we can hope that there were some who did repent, such as Nicodemus. Reflect, today, upon the strength of Jesus’ words to these religious leaders. Though they were supposed to be both “religious” and “leaders,” they were neither. They needed Jesus' strength, courage and firmness. They needed to be confronted directly and receive the hard and clear truth about their sin. Reflect upon what it is in your own life that Jesus wants to say to you. Is there an area of your life in which our Lord needs to address you with passion, strength, clarity and firmness? Most likely there is. Perhaps not in an area of serious sin like it was with these scribes and Pharisees, but if we are open, Jesus wants to powerfully go after every sin within us. Open yourself to Him and allow Him to help rid you of the sins with which you struggle the most. And be grateful for this grace when He does. My passionate Lord, You hate sin but love the sinner. You perfectly desire to rid me of all sin and all attachment to sin. Please open my mind and heart to hear Your rebukes of Love so that I may respond to Your invitation to repent with all my heart. I love You dear Lord. Free me from sin so that I may love You more. Jesus, I trust in You.

Fidelity in Suffering

Tuesday, August 29, 2023 Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist Readings for Today

Video Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias harbored a grudge against him and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Mark 6:17–19 The suffering and death of Saint John the Baptist greatly parallels the suffering and death of Jesus. They were cousins. John was one of the first to acknowledge the divine presence of our Lord when he leaped for joy in the womb of his mother during the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth. John lived a holy and simple life, embracing His mission to prepare the way for the Lord. He was the last and greatest of the Old Testament prophets. Of him, Jesus said that there was no one born of woman who was greater than John. For these reasons, we should not be the least bit surprised that John’s suffering and death parallelled and prefigured the death of the Savior of the World. Herod was fearful of John, believing him to be a holy man of God. He imprisoned him with a certain regret, knowing that he was innocent. Similarly, before Pilate condemned Jesus to death, he found Him not guilty of any crime. Pilate knew Jesus was innocent but allowed fear to direct his choice to condemn our Lord. John was ultimately killed because of the hatred and plotting of Herodias, the unlawful wife of Herod. It was Herodias’ anger that became a weapon, forcing Herod to put John to death. Similarly, it was the jealousy and anger of the religious leaders at that time that instigated and drove the death of Jesus. Pilate, like Herod, was at first unwilling to condemn our Lord. But the relentless hatred of the scribes and Pharisees compelled Pilate to condemn Jesus, just as it was Herodias’ hatred that compelled Herod to kill John. After John’s death, some of his disciples came to carry his body away for burial. This was permitted by Herod, perhaps because of his feelings of guilt. So also with our Lord, Pilate permitted some disciples and the holy women to carry Jesus’ dead body to the tomb for burial. In the end, the good fruit of Jesus’ death infinitely overshadowed the crime that was committed against Him. So also with John. We can be certain that, as a martyr, the blood he shed as a witness to Christ bore spiritual fruit that surpassed all he had done in his public ministry. Each of us is called to imitate our Lord and, therefore, should also take inspiration from Saint John the Baptist. They both were innocent but suffered greatly. They both spoke the truth, despite the hatred of some. They both gave their lives, in accord with the Father’s plan. Jesus was John’s Savior; John was but a precursor and servant of our Lord. Reflect, today, upon the invitation God has given to you to imitate the life of John the Baptist by uniting yourself to his Lord. The first form of imitation will take place when you commit yourself to the proclamation of the truth in accord with your mission. What mission has God given to you? How is He calling you to proclaim the Gospel with courage, strength, determination and fidelity to the end? Reflect, also, upon the injustice inflicted first upon John and then upon our Lord. As you do, try to look at any injustice you have received in life in the light of John’s and Jesus’ lives. They did not run away from injustice. They embraced it as a sacrifice and offered it to the Father in Heaven. Jesus’ Sacrifice brought forth the Salvation of the World; John’s was but a sharing in that glorious offering. Make your offering with them, and do not hesitate to do so with deep love and trust in the Father’s plan. Most glorious Lord, You invited Saint John the Baptist to prepare the way for Your coming and Your death. He gave his life as a martyr, and this sacrifice bore an abundance of good fruit. Please give me the grace to walk in his footsteps by faithfully fulfilling my mission in life with courage and strength. May I never waver in the face of injustice so that I can embrace it and make it my spiritual offering to You. Jesus, I trust in You.

Unity of Truth and Virtue

August 28, 2023 Monday of the Twenty-First Week in Ordinary Time Readings for Today Saint Augustine of Hippo, Bishop and Doctor of the Church—Memorial

Video “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter.” Matthew 23:13 Today begins Jesus’ “Woe to you…” condemnations of the scribes and Pharisees. He issues seven subsequent condemnations. The one quoted above is His first. At the time, Jesus’ condemnations of these religious leaders fell mostly on deaf ears. They were obstinate and would not listen to what Jesus had to say. But it’s useful to note that these condemnations appear to actually be spoken aboutthe scribes and Pharisees to the disciples and the crowds to whom Jesus was speaking. Though there are many lessons we can learn from our Lord, let’s consider the first thing He says. He condemns hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is essentially saying one thing and doing another. It’s a disconnect between what we say and what we do. Hypocrisy can also come in the form of trying to present oneself as if one has every virtue under Heaven but in reality cares little for the clear doctrine and moral precepts given us by God. In the scripture passage, the scribes and Pharisees claimed to be leading people to salvation, but they were condemning the very source of salvation. On one hand, some of what they taught was true, but they failed to teach with the virtue that comes from God. On the other hand, some of what they taught was flat-out erroneous, because they were more concerned about their public persona than they were about the truth. Essentially, they were hypocrites, because their words and actions were neither united in the truth nor lived through the virtues given by God. These two opposing tendencies seem to be a source of much division within our Church today. On the extreme “right,” we have those who preach doctrine but fail to exercise the necessary virtue so as to be effective instruments of those truths. And on the extreme “left” are those who act as if so-called virtue is all that matters. They deemphasize the clear and unambiguous moral and doctrinal truths that were given to us by our Lord, so that others will praise them for appearing kind, accepting and compassionate toward all. The problem is that one cannot exclude truth from virtue or virtue from truth. Compassion is not compassionate if it lacks truth, and the truth is not true if it is not presented with the virtues by which our Lord wants them brought forth. And though the scribes and Pharisees appear to be more focused upon their interpretations of various truths to the exclusion of virtue, their struggle with hypocrisy is just as real for those on both extremes today. Reflect, today, upon the importance of embracing each and every moral and doctrinal precept given by our Lord. We must embrace everything He says with every fiber of our being. Reflect, also, upon how you express these teachings of Jesus to others. Do you strive to present the full Gospel with the greatest virtue? The deeper the truth, the more necessary is the virtue with which it is presented. And the more virtue you have, the better instrument of the full truth you will be. Strive to overcome every form of hypocrisy within your life by working toward true holiness. Holiness is wholeness. The Truth united to virtue. Only then will you escape from the condemnation of our Lord, but you will also thrive as a pure instrument of His saving grace. My saving Lord, You desired deeply that the religious leaders of the time be powerful instruments of Your saving Gospel by presenting all truth in pure love. Please free me from every error so that Your holy Word will be alive in me and will be sent forth to others through the manifestation of the many virtues You wish to bestow. Jesus, I trust in You.

Xi Jinping on BRICKS

Bobi Stoianov

 

Xi Jinping: "Let\"s play open cards. Let\"s just be honest ! The BRICS alliance, of which we China and Russia are members, scares America and the alliance. They see it as a threat, but we do not threaten the world, the world is only threatened by America and the Alliance. The alliance was created in order to destroy Russia and take something from other countries. America and its alliance time to change their policies and not enter foreign countries like hyenas to steal and look for loot. The world is tired of their domination, the world is tired of them thinking they are masters of this world. Enough with your democracy that destroys humanity. If the goal of America and the alliance is this, European Member States and the alliance to fight against Russia and America to fight against China in order not to threaten your economy, I would say you are on a very wrong path, and the most important cards are in our hands with Russia, and we do not threaten your economies. America and the alliance cannot rule the world forever and do what they want, it is time for America to no longer enter foreign countries and change its policy, and it is time for the alliance to no longer exist in the world, because yours is nothing another from the destruction . We are not threatening your economies , America instead of looking at other countries , working in their own and producing to pay their debts , and getting homeless people off the street who are starving to death . America is a bankrupt country and it\"s time for America to only think about America and its people , it\"s time that America was a country with real politicians . It’s time for America to stop threatening countries. Let\"s just be honest ! World War III will not bring you any good, and an alliance with China and Russia in World War III can sign the end of America and the Alliance. Russia has many weapons under your waters that, if activated, can simply turn the states into an ocean, if Russia is attacked, the weapons under your oceans will automatically activate and sink all of America. Why is our third world war? Third World War in which all countries will lose both people, and economy, everything. We can be united , understand all countries and have world peace , America can just retire already and stop coming to foreign countries , just look at your country , your states , your people . Get Ukraine to negotiate and stop giving weapons to continue the war people are dying, and Zelensky to stop asking for weapons from all over the world and sit at the negotiation table for the good of the world. China and Russia are not a threat to the world. No country\"s economy interests us as a country, our economy is enough for us, and if the world starts a third world war, the last thing I would be interested in is the economy. America and Europe, as well as the alliance, you self-destruct, do not dig a grave for us, get out of your graves and think only of your countries and peoples. “

The Foundation Within

August 27, 2023 Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) Readings for Today

Video Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” Matthew 16:13 Today’s Gospel scene takes place about twenty miles north of the Sea of Galilee outside of Herod’s jurisdiction and away from the Pharisees’ watchful eyes. This is a private conversation between Jesus and His disciples that took place where they could speak freely. For that reason, this conversation is particularly personal in nature in that the disciples felt free to express their personal convictions without fear of retribution. As the conversation unfolds, Jesus asks two consecutive questions. First, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” Second, “But who do you say that I am?” By asking these two questions, Jesus first invites the disciples to identify the different opinions floating around about Him and then gives the disciples an opportunity to speak their own conviction. Peter responds on behalf of them all when he solemnly professes, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” If Jesus were to ask you these two questions, what would you answer? First, what is the general opinion about Jesus that most people have today? When asked, most Christians would give the correct answer. Jesus is God. He is the Savior. He is the Son of the Father. But sometimes those answers are more theoretical than they are personal. Often it is easy to believe things aboutJesus rather than believing in Jesus. So if you were to answer the second question, what would you say? Ideally, you would answer that Jesus is your Savior, your God, your Shepherd, your Lord. Faith in Jesus must not only be theoretical, it must be deeply personal, flowing from the depths of your heart. Deep personal faith in Jesus can only come from one source. It comes from the Father speaking to your heart in a real and personal way. After Peter professed His faith in Jesus, Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.” Peter’s personal faith in Jesus was not just something he heard from others, it was not just a popularly accepted opinion, it was something that the Father in Heaven personally revealed to him. This is the gift of faith. Peter’s personal profession of faith became the rock foundation on which Jesus built His Church. “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.” This reveals Jesus’ plan to establish Peter as the head of the Church and to give to him the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven for the whole Church. Similarly, our personal profession of faith will become the unshakable foundation within our souls upon which God’s Church becomes alive in each one of us. When our faith is based upon a personal revelation from the Father in Heaven, spoken within the secrecy of our souls, then nothing can extinguish this faith. The gates of the netherworld cannot prevail against it. Reflect, today, upon this holy conversation between Jesus and His disciples. As you do, know that Jesus wants to have the same conversation with you. As Jesus took the disciples away to this quiet and safe place, He wants to take you away through prayer to the privacy of your own soul. There, within you, He seeks to elicit a response of personal faith. He wants you to identify Who He is to you. He wants you to profess your faith to Him. This faith is your personal solid foundation, and upon that foundation our Lord will build up His Church in you and through you. Glorious Lord, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. I believe this with all my heart. Please continue to deepen my faith in You by revealing to me Who You are. As You do, I pray that this gift of faith will become a rock foundation upon which You form me more fully in the life of holy virtue and grace. Jesus, I trust in You.