Who do you say that I am?

At Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is? They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you Simon, son of Jonah. For flesh and blood* has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. 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. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”            - Matthew 16: 13-19

Pope Leo’s homily August 23, 2026
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Authority is Service

“We are here,” Pope Leo said, “because we believe Jesus is the Messiah, the eternal Son of the Father, consecrated and sent into the world ‘to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

In the Old Testament reading, an unjust steward was removed from his position in favor of the righteous Eliakim. Pope Leo drew the lesson: “everything we have and are, is a gift from God so that, in His hands, we can be instruments of salvation for one another.”

“Not only bishops and priests, but every baptized person,” he said, “is called to embrace, reunite, welcome, liberate, forgive and emancipate anyone imprisoned by sin and its consequences.”

“The path to God is to place oneself at the service of humanity.” Pope Leo explained that this is how we should understand Jesus’ handing of the keys of the Kingdom, a gesture that shows us that in the Church, authority is—service.

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This significance is mind-boggling.

• Despite the weaknesses of popes and saintliness of others, it is Jesus who established Peter and his successors, as the visible foundation of the Church.

• Every successor of St Peter has carried and protected the sacraments, so we would have them today. This is as miraculous as the existence of Scripture.

• As priests, prophets and kings—lower case—we too, are witness-bearers to Christ, the Son of God.

We must respect the papacy, the Holy Father and every pope since Caesarea Philippi. To profess faith in the keys to heaven is to profess faith in the One who instituted it and endowed it with His divine authority.

Prayer

My Lord, the Christ, the Living One; to Simon, grace was shown.
You named him Peter, steadfast rock, to lead One church alone.
You said the gates of hell shall rise but never overtake.
Prevented not by fight or might but the promise, You did make.

We pray for our dear priests & popes, and all who share this call.
To profess Peter’s fearless faith. curating courage for us all.
Please hear our prayers, for hope and love; for forgiveness to break through.
O Jesus in your mercy, Lord, we place our trust in You.

Sources:

Pope at Mass in Rimini: ‘At every level, authority is service' - Vatican News

St Matthew’s Gospel, Chapter 16 | USCCB