August 4

St. John Vianney

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he 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).

This is where Jesus made Peter the Pope. Ever since then, the Holy Spirit has led the successors of St. Peter to guide the Church. St. Peter fell many times but he never gave up. He gave his life for our Lord.

Holy Spirit, remind me to pray often for the Pope.

Impact Sports: Do I know how to offer up my sufferings for the team?

Impact Life: Am I willing to risk failure for a worthy objective?