Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P. reflects on Matthew 16 and Peter’s confession that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Peter does not discover Christ’s identity through his own reasoning, preferences, or convictions. Jesus tells him that “flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.”

The same principle applies to the Church. We do not understand bishops, the hierarchy, or the sacramental order merely through our personal opinions about the people who occupy those offices.

Christ instituted the Church. Christ established her hierarchy. Christ instituted the sacraments through which He gives us grace and salvation.

To understand the Church, we must begin with Jesus.

Subscribe: https://youtube.com/catholictheology

Support the Encyclopedia of Catholic Theology:
https://www.ect.org
https://www.ectplus.org

Social Media:
Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/ect_catholic

Get in touch:
[email protected]

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Gospel Passage and Its Significance
01:48 The Blessing of Divine Revelation to Peter
03:05 Challenges in the Modern Church and the Role of Hierarchy
04:20 The Sacramental Order and Salvation
05:35 God's Revelation and the Understanding of the Church
06:26 Praying for Church Leaders and Reflecting on Divine Truth