Two weeks ago, we heard how Jesus gave the “keys to the kingdom” to Peter, and I suggested we all have those keys that either open the way to the kingdom for us and others, or keeps us locked out of the kingdom. Keys like trust and confidence, the keys of love, care and concern, mercy, meekness, and peace. And notice that today Jesus says to all of us what he told Peter when handing over the keys to him: whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth...

In his book, The One Minute Manager, author Ken Blanchard says: “there is a difference between interest and commitment. When you are interested in doing something, you do it only when it is convenient. When you are committed to something, you accept no excuses.” Blanchard continues: commitment is the one quality above all others that enables a potential leader to become a successful leader. Without commitment, there can be no success. One time football coach of Notre Dame, Lou Holtz,...

Picture it - it’s late 32 AD. Jesus has passed through Tyre and Sidon, and is now in Caesarea-Philippi: on his way to Jerusalem, where he knows he will die. And he just wants some good, honest feedback about how things have been going, so he asks his disciples, who are people saying I am?? Or as it is said in Jesus Christ Superstar: “What’s the buzz? Tell me all about it. . .” Today’s Gospel comes right on the heels of John the Baptist’s death, the feeding of the five thousand, the...