Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Thursday of the 18th week in ordinary time, August 7, 2025

Delivered by Josephine Mercy Ho from the Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. Numbers 20: 1-13; Rs psalm 95: 1-2.6-7.8-9; Matthew 16: 13-23.THE KEY OF HEAVEN Our meditation today is entitled: TheKey of Heaven. There is an outstanding lecturer known by his students as aperson with his firm attitude. His firmness is manifested in making decisionsthat cannot be revoked. For example he decides to give an exam to one studentafter another, he will be fairly and diligently to fulfill this duty until thevery last student. He firmly defends the student who is right, as he alsopunishes the wrong one. He is very well loved and proud ofbecause of his great attention to the students. He not only teaches them thenecessary knowledge but also educates them to become good human persons. Herepeatedly emphasizes to them the key to achieve independence and maturity. Tobe successful in study, the key is perseverance in every academic activity. Inorder to be respected among friends, the key is to respect them. To become an independent person, thekey is self-confidence and act within the limit of your abilities. To become anadult, the key is to practice to decide for yourself and carry it outresponsibly. The key to friendship and mutuality is patience, mutualunderstanding and trust in one another. The key to good health is to consumehealthy food, get enough rest and exercise. And many more keys that are veryhelpful. Today we have the divine light thatshows us the key to obtain a happy  lifethat is for ever, which we do not find in this world with various kinds of keysas mentioned above, but which we will find in heaven. Jesus gives His firstapostle Peter the key of heaven, after this apostle made his confession offaith. He made a personal confession of faith that Jesus is the One sent fromthe Father, the Son of God. Because of that confession of faith,all the other apostles and disciples were also involved in having the privilegeto come to heaven. All of us who follow Christ are also involved because wealways make our confession of faith, through the prayer "I Believe".The key to enter heaven in Peter's hands signifies that God is not selfish toown heaven, but He entrusts the heaven to us humans, who must be included inthe community of believers. A community should have a leader. Everyone should not push all the willto claim that he is more entitled to go to heaven, while others do not.Everyone has the same rights for heaven and Peter is given the authority to beour guide. He holds the key. Let's pray. In the name of theFather ... O  most loving Jesus, may wealways be faithful in our confession of faith and diligently carry it out toits completion. Our Father who art in heaven ... In the name of the Father ...