Matthew 16: 15--18
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" And Simon Peter answered and said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it." --NASB In the name of the Son of the living God, amen.
The Church is attacked from within and from without. Persecutions, deceit, and manipulations work to destroy what Christ has built. Children are shot for confessing Christ, people who stand up for the truth of Holy Scripture are ridiculed and censured within their churches. It all looks hopeless, and yet Christ promised that the very gates of Hell would not prevail against the Holy Church which is built on the rock of St. Peter's confession, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
While Cathedrals stand empty on Sunday mornings in Europe, and Christians are painted as unloving and judgmental, the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, continues to stand on the confession, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." In this world which is running toward destruction, it is comforting to know that Jesus' Church stands as a place of refuge. Here in His Church the Holy Spirit nurtures our faith through the Word and sacraments. Thank God that our Savior built His Church on such an enduring foundation as the simple truth that He is the Christ. Amen.
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for building Your Church on the truth of who You are. Strengthen us by Your Holy Spirit working through the Means of Grace so that we can boldly confess with Peter that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God, amen.