February 22, 2019 (Feast of the Chair of St Peter)
On this rock
Dear friends in Christ, the visible head of the Church and the representative of Christ among us today, is the Holy Father, Pope Francis. The seat which he occupies, is one that comes from Christ himself, when he handed the keys to Peter, who became the first head of the church after Christ himself. This feast of the Chair of Peter, has been celebrated in Rome since the fourth century, as it signifies the unity of the Church founded upon the Apostles, with Peter as the rock and head.
Our first reading today from the first letter of Peter (5:1-4) reveals the humility of the man, who was chosen from among many, in fact, from among all the races on earth, to lead the Church established on the foundation of Jesus Christ as Lord. He counts himself, just as one in the number of elders, “I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is to be revealed.” Peter had every reason to boast of his authority as one chosen by the Lord, to lead his mission, of guiding humanity to salvation. Yet he chose to call himself, just one in the midst of others. Like that beautiful song, ‘God loves a cheerful giver’ says, “Peter always made a fuss, he was impetuous and he knew hard times when he denied the Lord, but hardly had he fallen when he got right up, began again, Christ made him successor as his reward.” He was not perfect, but in his imperfection, the Lord found him worthy of that place of honour. Perhaps the fact that he was truly imperfect, was what qualified him to be the leader. His own sinfulness and imperfection, prepared him to deal mercifully with others. In this passage, Peter advises the elders of the Church, to tend the flock entrusted to them, “Not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.” The Church needs true, gentle, but firm leaders, who can heed the call of Peter and who will see their vocations, not as means of amazing wealth and fame, not as means to become domineering or abuse the flock, but to become more like Christ who humbled himself even to the point of accepting the cross for our sake.
The gospel of today(Matthew 16:13-19) presents Peter’s moment of glory and crowning, that day when he gave the answer that changed his life and his mission. Jesus had asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter it was, who responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona!…And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church…I will give you the keys of the kingdom…” Pope Francis continues that mission of Peter today.
Let us pray: Lord, bless our Pope, as he continues the mission of opening the kingdom of heaven to humankind. Amen. May the Almighty God bless you, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen
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