Chair of St. Peter, February 22
1 Peter 5:1-4 / Matthew 16:13-19
Peter's Chair; “Who do you say lam?
Mike Moran was flying Navy helicopters in 1982. One day at lunch, he was explaining to his parents the mechanics of his "chopper.”
"As complex and sophisticated as those machines are, he
said enthusiastically, "those whirling rotors are actually held in place
by one simple hexagonal nut. " Then turning to his mother Mike said,
"Guess what that nut is called, the one that holds it all together!"
She shrugged. "It's call a 'Jesus Nut,' " he said.
***
Do we truly believe that it's Jesus who "holds it all
together" in our life? "Christ is not valued at all, unless he is
valued above all." St. Augustine
***
The liturgy celebrates today not so much that Peter was the
bishop of Rome than what his function is. In answer to Peter’s profession of
faith, Jesus appoints him the Rock on which the Church is built. As Peter
himself knew very well, the shepherd is the model of his flock, dedicated to the
service of the people of God.
***
The Chair of St. Peter (Latin: Cathedra Petri), also known
as the Throne of St. Peter, is a wooden throne, encased in bronze, that is
physically in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Essentially it is an
elaborate chair. But there is a profound symbolic meaning in the chair. The
chair is described as "a symbol of the special mission of Peter and his
Successors to tend Christ’s flock, keeping it united in faith and in
charity." (Pope Benedict XVI)
It is a mission entrusted to Peter, as we heard in the gospel, and not just to
Peter but also to his successors. Hence this feast also traces for the present
universal Church its Apostolic succession right up to Peter. In that sense,
Pope Francis is called the successor of St. Peter, and he inherits the same
apostolic authority that was given to St. Peter. And this authority is to be
used for teaching the truth and to serve with humility, as we heard in the 1st
reading, and also to keep the Church united as the Body of Christ so as to be a
sign of salvation to the world.
But in recent times, many terrible scandals have rocked the Church to its
foundations and the Church have sunk deep into crisis with heresies and
schisms. Yet, this feast of the Chair of Peter reminds us that the Church is
built on rock and the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. We
take comfort and consolation that these are the words of Christ Himself, who is
the Head of the Church. May the celebration of this feast also bring about
blessings for the Church to strengthen the faith and keep pressing on with the
mission of salvation. We must also keep alive the hope that our prayers will
bring about the light of Christ shining through the Church in a darkened world.
***
Encountering Christ:
·
Who Am I?: Christ asked the Apostles
a simple question, truly the most important question of every person’s life:
“Who do people say that I am?” As professed Catholics, we believe that Jesus is
the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. Acknowledging Christ’s identity also
requires that we acknowledge our true heritage as children of the Father.
Everyone who believes these words strives to live holy and heroic lives. We are
blessed with many examples throughout Church history—saints who lived and died
for Christ.
·
Christ Is Stronger: What a promise
Christ made here! What hope we should have. knowing that hell cannot win
against Christ’s Church! Despite what may happen in the world around us, we set
our eyes and our hearts on heaven and recognize that no evil can overcome the
destiny that Christ lays before us. Christ tells us throughout the Gospels that
we should not fear, so we must heed his words: “These things I have spoken to
you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but
take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
·
Our Earthly Treasures: Christ makes
a clear connection between our earthly lives and our eternal ones. If we
desperately cling to earthly things, we bind ourselves to this world. Yet the
opposite is also true. If we do everything to honor God while here, then what
would God withhold from us when we reach heaven? Our eternal salvation is a
great gift. It is a “pearl of great value.” Are we like the merchant who “went
and sold all that he had and bought” the pearl? (Matthew 13:45-46). Or is there
some aspect of our earthly life that we cling to? Do we surrender our time? Our
worries? Our talents? Each surrender to God can be a way of letting him use our
earthly lives for his eternal glory.
Conversing with Christ: Jesus, sometimes I can
get so caught up by life’s circumstances that I forget why I am here. Help me to
keep my eyes on you so that joy, hope, and faith will always prevail in the
depths of my heart despite the tumultuousness of this earthly life. You are my king!
I surrender myself to you!
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will
offer up the best and the worst part of my day as a sacrifice of praise.
***
Prayer Almighty God, you have given us the witnessing of the
apostles as the firm rock on which we can rely. Where Peter is, there is the
Church. But we see today that the bark of Peter is rocked; we are often like
capricious children unused to our newfound freedom. Make us use this freedom
responsibly and do not allow us to lose our composure. Reassure us that you are
always with us and keep us optimistic about the future, for it is your future
and you are our rock forever. Amen.
***
The Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle
Feast day February 22
When the pope cautions world leaders, pleads for peace, or
condemns social injustice, people listen and respond. What makes the world
listen to this man? The answer lies in Scripture and in Tradition. Peter is
named first among the apostles of Jesus; he was often their spokesman and
leader; he was the first to preach after Pentecost; and he was the leader in
defending Christ and his message. Peter was at the Transfiguration and in the garden.
He proclaimed to Jesus, “You are the Christ,” and Christ
singled him out:
“[ I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock, I will
build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth
shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in
heaven.” (Matthew 16:18–19)
Jesus prayed for Peter that he might strengthen his
brothers. (Luke 22:32) And Jesus gave Peter a threefold commission to “[feed
my sheep.” (John 21:15–17)
From the beginning, the specialness, or primacy, of Peter has been recognized. On the feast of the Chair of Peter, we celebrate our unity as a Church. We celebrate the love, presence, and protection of Christ for us, the Church. The title Chair of Peter refers to the chair from which a bishop presided, a symbol of his authority. When the title refers to Saint Peter, it recalls the supreme teaching power of Peter and his successors. It is from the chair, from the pastoral power given him, that the pope shepherds Christ’s flock.