The Gospel (Mt 16:13-19) recalls the scene at Caesarea, where Jesus, for the first time, proclaimed Peter as the foundation stone of the Church: "I say that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church," words which have had a magnificent repercussion down through the centuries, and which, even today, bear witness to the primacy of Peter and his successors over the whole of Christianity - not over a number of small churches, but over one great, unique Church, the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman Church. One only Church, whose sole Founder and Head is Christ, who chose Peter to represent Him. "Where Peter is, there is the Church" (St. Ambrose) This means that wherever the Pope, Peter's successor, is, there the Church is. Rightly, then, should we consider the feast of St. Peter as the feast of the Church, the feast of our Holy Father, the Pope, and one which should awaken in every Christian soul a profound sense of belonging to the Church and of devotion to the Sovereign Pontiff. At the moment of her death, St. Teresa of Jesus repeated: "I am a daughter of the Church!" After having laboured so much for God and souls, this was the only title that made her sure of the divine mercy. To be a child of the Church! This is our title to salvation, this is our glory, after that of being a child of God. Or rather, not after, but together with, for as the Fathers of the Church say, "He cannot have God for Father who does not have the Church for Mother" (St Cyrian) He is not a true Catholic who does not feel the joy of being a child of the Church, whose heart does not vibrate for the Church and for the Vicar of Christ upon earth, who is not ready to renounce his own personal views in order to "sentire cum Ecclesia", to think with the Church, always and in all things.

The Communion antiphon repeats again the memorable words by which Jesus constituted Peter the foundation stone of the Church. "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church." It is a renewed expression of honour to the Prince of the Apostles, but is also a summons to us. Every Christian, in fact, ought to be a firm, solid rock which Jesus can use to sustain His Church. Evidently, the living rock, the cornerstone par excellence is Christ, and next to Himself, He has placed His Vicar; next come all the faithful, from the Bishops down to the last person to be baptized. We are all, as St. Peter says in his first epistle, "living stones built up, a spiritual house, a holy priesthood." (1 Pt 2:5)

Whoever you may be - priest or lay person, religious or father of a family, simple Christian or humble nun, you also are called to support the Church, just as in a building not only the big blocks of granite, but also the smallest bricks help to solidify the whole edifice. This profound apostolic sense must not be wanting in any soul; it must make us conscious of our degree of responsibility for the growth of the Church. We must fulfill our part, first of all, by our obedience and submission to the directives of the Hierarchy; but this is not enough. If we are true children of the Church, we cannot be indifferent to her needs, her interests, and her sufferings. The Church today suffers more than ever: she suffers in her Vicar, who placed as a sentinel for the whole Christian world, knows and estimates better than anyone else the dangers and struggles threatening her on all sides; the Church suffers in her Bishops, in her persecuted martyred priests, who are rendered powerless; she suffers in her children, abandoned and dispersed like sheep without a shepherd; she suffers because of errors, because of the calumnies which are hurled against her. And you, her child, can you remain indifferent? Suffer with your Mother; pray, work and use our strength to serve and defend her. Lay aside your own little personal interests and consecrate yourself - your life, yours works, your prayers, your silent, hidden sacrifices - to the great interests of the Church.

Taken from Divine Intimacy: Meditations on the Interior Life for Every Day of the Year by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen OCD.

As a way to unite ourselves to the suffering Church readers may wish to join the Day of Prayer and Fasting for Missionary Martyrs in remembrance of those who have died for the faith throughout the world. This annual event occurs on March 24th, which this year coincides with Easter Monday.