Saturday, 22 February 2025. Readings: 1 Peter 5:1-4, Ps. 23, Matthew 16:13-19
“You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church.” (Matthew 16:18)
Today, we celebrate an important feast: the Chair (Cathedra) of Saint Peter. Central to this feast is the authority Christ granted to Peter, as highlighted in the Gospel reading for the day. Saint Jerome highlighted the significance of the Chair of Peter as the Church's foundation, while Saint Augustine noted Peter’s acceptance of this role for the benefit of the Churches. Today’s feast celebrates Peter’s enduring leadership and the continuous legacy of the Church through his successors. What do we learn from today’s readings?
1. Leadership Is Not Ownership: Even though Jesus gave Peter the power of governance, Jesus remains the owner and builder of the church: “On this rock, I will build my Church.” The Pope is a manager and a steward of God’s flock, and every ordained minister is a servant of the souls entrusted to their care. Hence, our responsorial psalm today reminds us that “The Lord (not the Pope) is our shepherd.”
Having reposed such enormous power on St. Peter (and his subsequent successors), Jesus, knowing that Popes will be prone to human weakness, added: “And the gates of hell will never prevail against the Church.” Not long after this event, Jesus’ prayer was activated when Peter unknowingly became Satan’s mouthpiece by dissuading Jesus from the path of suffering. The Pope remains human, but the gates of hell will never destroy the church.
2. God Speaks Through the Pope: Just as many found it difficult to believe that Jesus (who they saw in human flesh) is God, it takes faith to believe that the Pope is a visible instrument of Christ’s leadership. The Pope may be imperfect as a man, but when he speaks on matters of doctrine, he is infallible. We hear Jesus say in today’s Gospel passage: “Flesh and blood have not revealed this to you but my Father who is in heaven.” God continues to speak to us through the Pope.
3. Leadership is all about Service (not honour or wealth): In today’s first reading, Peter writes to the church elders, saying: “Tend the flock of God that is in your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly…” St. Paul throws more light on this point when he writes: “Those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.” (1 Timothy 6:7-11)
4. Never Be a Dictator but Be an Example to the Flock: Flowing from the fact that Jesus is the owner and builder of the church, those occupying offices in the church must never forget that they are servants, not lords. As Jesus noted: “Whoever would be first among you must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35). As Pope, Peter retraced his steps and accepted Paul’s rebuke concerning his treatment of Gentile converts.
In conclusion, today’s celebration is to pray for the Pope and those who share in the community that makes up the Papacy. As we have seen already, left to their strength, they cannot do anything, but with God’s power at work, they remain shepherds leading God’s flock in the right direction.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, teach me to lead by service. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saint Peter’s Chair - Feast Liturgical Colour: White. Bible Study: 1 Peter 5:1-4, Ps. 23, Matthew 16:13-19).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu