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Yesterday we began the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The week begins with the Confession of St. Peter the Apostle.

Peter is the first person that Andrew invited to come and meet the man who fulfilled the prophetic expectations regarding the Messiah. Peter accompanied his brother Andrew to meet Jesus and the two brothers became the first disciples of Jesus. During the following two years their belief that Jesus was the Messiah went up and down because Jesus did not always fit their picture of what the Messiah would do and say.

Eventually the day came when Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say I am?” This question was posed in the city of Caesarea Philippi, a city dominated by Roman and Greek culture and populated with pagan temples and idols. In the midst of all this alluring distraction Peter answers, “You are the Messiah, the Son of God.” Jesus’ response is the Bible reading for today.

The unity of the world-wide Christian Church is built upon Peter’s statement of faith. We pray this week for the strengthening of the faith we share with Christians everywhere.

Bible Reading: Matthew 16:13-20