Daily Readings
Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle

Reading I:  1 Pt 5:1-4

Beloved:
I exhort the presbyters among you,
as a fellow presbyter and witness to the sufferings of Christ
and one who has a share in the glory to be revealed.
Tend the flock of God in your midst,
overseeing not by constraint but willingly,
as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly.
Do not lord it over those assigned to you,
but be examples to the flock.
And when the chief Shepherd is revealed,
you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Responsorial Psalm:  23:1-3a, 4, 5, 6

R.    (1)  The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
    In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
    he refreshes my soul.
R.    The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
    I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
    that give me courage.
R.    The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
    in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
R.    The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
    all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
    for years to come.
R.    The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Verse before the Gospel:  Mt 16:18

You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church; 
the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
 

Gospel:  Mt 16:13-19

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi
he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter said in reply, 
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so 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.” 

 

Father Kirk's Daily Lenten Reflection
Monday of the 1st Week of Lent, February 22, 2021

The Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter

In the church world “the chair” – or as it is known in Latin “the Cathedra” is the physical chair upon which the Bishop sits.  The “Chair of Saint Peter” is the physical chair upon which the Holy Father sits as the successor of Saint Peter, the rock upon whom the church is built.

As one might suspect however today’s feast is not a celebration of a piece of furniture – no matter how precious it may be.  It is rather a celebration of the spiritual and temporal leadership that was handed by Christ to Saint Peter and to all of his successors.

Today let us pray that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead; the same Spirit that filled Saint Peter with courage; the same Spirit that enflamed the hearts of the Apostles; the same Spirit that enlivens our Church may fill the heart of our Holy Father, Pope Francis and the hearts of all who lead and serve.

Let us pray for all Bishops, priests, and deacons.