“YOU ARE PETER, AND ON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH” (Matt 16:18)

⏰Feast of the Chair of St. Peter (22 February 2017)

????1 Pet 5:1-4; Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 (R.v.1); Matt 16:13-19

????”YOU ARE PETER, AND ON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH” (Matt 16:18)

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter. In this, we celebrate the seat of power of the successor of St. Peter and its authority as coming from Christ himself (cf. Matt 16:18-19). The universality of the celebration is a sign of the unity of all, which is built around the successor of St. Peter, the Pope.

However, one important significance of this celebration is to remind us that the Church belongs to Christ, and our call to service in it is just a privilege and not a merit.

Peter was not chosen because he was the best of all that existed at that time. Even when we try to consider his profession of faith as a credit to him, he would fail soon after (cf. Matt 16:22-23).

That understanding should make everyone who is called in any capacity to serve in the Church, to be humble and selfless. That is why the Pope goes with the title, “Servant of the servants of God.”

What of you? Is your life in the Church a service to God? Or do you see yourself as doing God a favour and so depend on how much you are paid before you work for God?

We pray that the Holy Spirit may continue to lead the Pope to remain God’s humble instrument of peace and a channel for mercy. May we also embrace our service selflessly in love (see 1 Pet 5:1-4). Amen.

Peace be with you.