Friday, February 22, 2008

Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter


Apostle

Additional Information about the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter[1]

Readings for the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter[2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible

Commentary:

Reading 1
1 Peter 5:1-4

St. Peter, the first Bishop of Rome writes to those who have been appointed to lead local Christian communities. He provides a view of leadership consistent with Christ’s teaching and contradicting the Jewish Leadership style which was authoritarian. He exhorts the Presbyters or Elders to offer their service as a gift to God and provide leadership through their example of humility.

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 23:1-3a, 4, 5, 6
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Continuing the theme of shepherding the flock we have the most popular Psalm in all of Holy Scripture. While the theme of Shepherd is mentioned in the first strophe, the psalm really speaks to the peace given to those who follow, even into the “dark valley”.

Gospel
Matthew 16:13-19

St. Matthew’s story of how Jesus asked about what people were saying about him has a profound impact on the Church. Here, when challenged by Jesus with the question, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon answers, “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” The second title is not present in St. Mark’s version of this encounter. It adds an understanding that Jesus is not just the Messiah, but also the Son of God.

Given this response, Jesus confers upon Simon a new name “Kephas” which comes from the root Aramaic word Kepa or “Rock”. When translated into Greek it came out Petros and from there to Peter. The name, however, becomes the foundation for the Church and Peter, as a consequence of this exchange is given Christ’s authority, an authority that is passed down through Papal Succession to Pope Benedict XVI today.

Homily:

The Gospel today tells the story of how Jesus first conferred a new name and title upon St. Peter. It was because Peter had been open to the Holy Spirit and was moved to give Jesus his true title; “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” In recognition of the Spirits outpouring, Jesus pronounced Simon – “Rock” and then handed to him the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. These same keys are passed from Pontiff to Pontiff and now reside with our Pope Benedict XVI.

Peter also provides the Church with a model of leadership that echoes Christ’s teaching – the shepherds of the Church are to lead through humility by their example of holiness. That example now comes from our Bishop and Priests to us. As we continue our Lenten journey we look to the Chair of Peter and his successors and see there the faithful shepherd broadcasting God’s love and forgiveness and as sheep, we follow the Lamb of God through them.

Pax

[1] The picture today is “The Chair of St. Peter” from the Vatican Archives, photographer and date not cited.
[2] After Links to Readings Expire

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