Upon this rock

"Rock" (Aramaic kēpā and transliterated into Greek as Kephas) is a symbol of strength and permanence and a place where people in danger would often take refuge.

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God is thus depicted as the Rock of Israel, being the strength, security, and deliverance of his people. The psalmist sings, “Lord, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.

My God, my rock of refuge, my shield, my saving horn, my stronghold!” (Ps 18:3). Jesus says that when his disciples listen to his words and act on them, they are like a wise man who builds his house on rock, solid on their faith.

While Jesus did not refer to himself as “rock,” Paul points to him as “type” of the rock that followed the Israelites in the desert from which they drank spiritual drink (1 Cor 10:4).

The Apostles, in turn, points to Jesus as the stone rejected by the builders (the Jewish leaders) which has become the cornerstone (Acts 4:11).

Indeed, Peter can function as “rock foundation” only if he relies on Jesus whom he confesses as the Messiah— not one who will drive out the Romans, but one who will suffer greatly in Jerusalem.

First Reading. Nm 20:1-13

As the community had no water, they held a council against Moses and Aaron. The people contended with Moses, exclaiming, “Would that we too had perished with our kinsmen in the Lord’s presence!