Daily Readings - Thu Feb 22 2024
1 Peter
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
Matthew
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 readings today invite us to reflect on leadership, faith, and the foundation of the Church. In the first reading from 1 Peter, we hear a call to leaders to shepherd God’s people with humility, integrity, and generosity, not for personal gain but out of love for God and His people. This passage emphasizes the importance of servant leadership, reminding us that true authority comes from serving others in accordance with God’s will. The Gospel from Matthew takes us to a pivotal moment in the life of Jesus, where He asks His disciples who they believe Him to be. Peter, filled with faith, confesses Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus responds by establishing Peter as the rock upon which He will build His Church, giving him the keys of the kingdom and the authority to bind and loose.
These readings are deeply connected. In 1 Peter, we see the practical application of the leadership principles established by Jesus in the Gospel. Peter’s confession of faith in Matthew becomes the foundation for the Church, and his role as a leader is rooted in his willingness to follow and serve Christ. The first reading reminds us that leadership in the Church is not about power or prestige but about imitating Christ’s humility and self-giving love. Together, these passages remind us that the Church is built on faith in Jesus Christ and that all members, especially leaders, are called to live out that faith in service to others.
In our daily lives, these readings challenge us to reflect on how we live out our faith and how we exercise leadership in our own spheres of influence. Whether we are parents, teachers, coworkers, or community members, we are all called to lead by example, serving others with humility and integrity. Let us ask ourselves: Do we, like Peter, confess Jesus as the Son of the living God with our words and actions? Do we, like the elders in 1 Peter, serve others willingly and without seeking personal gain? May these readings inspire us to deepen our faith and to live as faithful stewards of God’s grace, building up the Body of Christ in our world today.