Daily Catholic Mass Readings for February 22, 2021
First Reading: 1 Peter 5.1-4
1Therefore, I beg the elders who are among you, as one who is also an elder and a witness of the Passion of Christ, who also shares in that glory which is to be revealed in the future2pasture the flock of God that is among you, providing for it, not as a requirement, but willingly, in accord with God, and not for the sake of tainted profit, but freely3not so as to dominate by means of the clerical state, but so as to be formed into a flock from the heart4And when the Leader of pastors will have appeared, you shall secure an unfading crown of glory
Psalm 23
1A Psalm of David. The Lord directs me, and nothing will be lacking to me2He has settled me here, in a place of pasture. He has led me out to the water of refreshment3He has converted my soul. He has led me away on the paths of justice, for the sake of his name4For, even if I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils. For you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they have given me consolation5You have prepared a table in my sight, opposite those who trouble me. You have anointed my head with oil, and my cup, which inebriates me, how brilliant it is6And your mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and so may I dwell in the house of the Lord for length of days
Gospel: Matthew 16.13-19
13Then Jesus went into parts of Caesarea Philippi. And he questioned his disciples, saying, "Who do men say that the Son of man is?14And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, and others say Elijah, still others say Jeremiah or one of the prophets.15Jesus said to them, "But who do you say that I am?16Simon Peter responded by saying, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.17And in response, Jesus said to him: "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father, who is in heaven18And I say to you, that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it19And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound, even in heaven. And whatever you shall release on earth shall be released, even in heaven.
Sermon
The first reading from 1 Peter reminds us of the call to shepherd God’s people with humility and selflessness. Peter, who himself was a witness to Christ’s Passion, urges elders to care for the flock not out of obligation or personal gain, but willingly and with integrity. This passage emphasizes the importance of leadership rooted in love and service, rather than power or profit. The image of shepherding evokes a deep sense of responsibility and care, reminding us that true leadership is about guiding and nurturing others in accordance with God’s will.
In the Gospel, Jesus asks His disciples a profound question: “Who do you say that I am?” Peter’s confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” is a moment of clarity and faith. Jesus blesses Peter for this insight, which comes not from human understanding but from divine revelation. The passage then shifts to Jesus establishing Peter as the rock upon which He will build His Church, giving him the keys of the kingdom. This exchange highlights the central role of faith in revealing who Jesus is and the authority that comes with it.
Both readings are connected by the theme of leadership and faith. In 1 Peter, we see the call to lead with humility and integrity, while in Matthew, we see the transformative power of faith and the trust Jesus places in His followers. Together, they remind us that our faith must be lived out in service to others and in fidelity to God’s will. Let us reflect on how we can lead and serve in our own lives, guided by the example of Peter, who both confessed Jesus and was called to care for His flock. May our faith be the foundation upon which we build our lives, and may we use the gifts and responsibilities entrusted to us to glorify God.