Today’s readings remind us of three simple truths: God chooses differently, God sees differently, and God builds His Church on faith, not perfection. Isaiah shows us that God replaces Shebna with Eliakim—not because Eliakim

is flawless, but because God sees the heart. He chooses us by grace, not perfection. St Paul reminds us that God’s wisdom is deeper than we can understand. The doors He opens, the people He sends, the blessings and trials we face—none are accidental. All things come from Him and lead back to Him. In the Gospel, Jesus asks: “Who do you say I am?” Peter answers with faith, and Jesus builds His Church on that humble confession. Not on Peter’s strength, but on his openness to God. Like Peter, we are invited to recognise Jesus—especially in the Eucharist. If we truly see Him as the living God on the altar, His grace will change us. So today we ask for Peter’s faith: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” May we recognise Him in our daily lives, in our neighbours and above all in the Eucharist. Amen.

Fr Kenneth Iwunna CSSP