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This is my final submission of an article to appear in the pages of The Michigan Catholic. I have greatly enjoyed writing this column, humbly following in the footsteps of my professor, Fr. Jack Castelot. I am most grateful for the many years that I have been able to share some insights into the Word of God. I have received many encouraging, and sometimes challenging, comments from the readers of this column. The staff of The Michigan Catholic has been very patient and helpful in adapting to my schedule, which did not always mesh with theirs. I appreciate their kindness to me. My personal stories were attempts to encourage you to recognize your own revelations, which God shows you each day. I leave you with the words of St. Paul: "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things" (Philippians 4:8). Thank you, and may God bless every one of you!
FIRST READING: Isaiah 22:19-23
Shebna and Eliakim appear in 2 Kings 18:18, during the reign of Hezekiah, King of Judah. They were sent as emissaries with a third member to meet the leaders of the invading Assyrian army in 701 BC. Shebna was the only name without family identification (“son of. . .”). In the preceding verses, Shebna is condemned by the Lord for creating an exalted tomb for himself. He also opposed the political position of Isaiah and supported an anti-Assyrian alliance with Egypt.
Keys were signs of trust. They still are! To whom would you entrust the keys to your home, while you are away? This was an important office in the palace of the king. He had direct access to the absolute ruler of the nation. Eliakim is also described as a “peg in a sure spot,” like the tent peg that keeps the dwelling and those inside secure against the weather. He will not shift with the sands of time or opportunity. The image describes his fidelity and trustworthiness. His investiture is described as carefully as a royal enthronement.
Interestingly, though, in the following verse 23, Eliakim is described as a peg on the kitchen wall that “shall give way, break off and fall,” and all of his family hangers-on will fall from favor and power with him. This is probably a blending of two interpretations of Eliakim, a practice that was used elsewhere in the Old Testament to describe the positive and negative elements in establishing the monarchy in Israel. Power over others often led to abuses.
SECOND READING: Romans 11:33-36
Paul praises the work of the Creator in a very biblical, Jewish style. The passage includes several triads. They tend to intensify and emphasize their meaning. He appeals to the Old Testament in order to demonstrate the consistency of the plan of God in the history of His people. This passage quotes Is 40:13 and echoes themes from the end of Job, such as Job 41:3.
These verses conclude a section of the letter (chapters 9-11), where the mysterious plan of God and the power of God has been revealed. In the next verse, Paul begins a new section that emphasizes the role and duties of the members of the Church.
GOSPEL: Matthew 16:13-20
There is a huge rock face in Caesarea Philippi, which is located in northern Israel. It begins the foothills of Mt. Hermon, which is in Syria. The melting snows of Mt. Hermon emerge as a stream from the base of the rock. It is one of the sources of the Jordan River. Verdant, lush vegetation lines the shores of the stream that winds through barren territory, as it makes its way south to the Sea of Galilee. Excavations in the area have revealed the remains of temples that have preceded and succeeded the presence of Israel there. It was a place that was noted for the presence of the divine.
Jesus asks His disciples to recognize Him – not just His physical presence as their teacher, but as Someone far greater for all people. The confession of faith of Peter is the basic faith of the successors of the apostles and disciples of Jesus: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” When faced with the turmoil and troubles that come in life, that profession of faith becomes the center from which all other events are measured and evaluated. But that lesson for Peter was not complete, and so Jesus “ordered His disciples to tell no one that He was the Christ.” They had the key to entering the Kingdom that Jesus taught them through parables and miracles. But the final lesson would come through the Passion and Resurrection. That would prove how solid was that identity of Jesus as the Christ, the anointed king and priest of God. It was the key to understanding the success of the Church in the age to come.
Buildings always seem to be on the move. When my father had a new office built, the construction was not even completed when a huge crack appeared in the back wall. The ground beneath the building was not stable. There was a lot of clay and sand in St. Clair Shores, as well as a very high water table. The earth was constantly shifting. The contractor pulled down the wall and rebuilt it. But there was always a problem with the windows cracking, even years later. The building was not placed upon a solid foundation.
My aunt and uncle, however, built a house near Buffalo that was on rock – literally! It was the same rock strata that upheld Niagara Falls and allowed the skyscrapers to stand on Manhattan Island. It didn’t budge. The builder had to use dynamite to put in a basement. That house never moved! There was no settling of the walls, crack in the floor or movement of any kind for all the years that they lived there. The construction was firmly set on an immovable foundation.
Jesus offers us the opportunity to build upon a firm foundation that will stand against all the storms that may buffet our lives. Change is inevitable in the appearance and style of living. But a strong foundation of faith will help guide our rebuilding of God’s house on earth and what we do in own life, too.
