Daily Readings - Thu Feb 22 2018
1 Peter
1So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:2shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;3not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.4And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Matthew
13Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"14And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."15He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"16Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."17And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of leadership, faith, and the foundation of the Church. In the first reading from 1 Peter, we hear a call to humble and selfless leadership. Peter exhorts the elders to tend to the flock of God willingly, not out of obligation or for personal gain, but with genuine care and devotion. This passage emphasizes the importance of serving others with integrity and generosity, trusting that God will reward such fidelity in His own time. The image of shepherding reminds us that leadership is not about power or control but about nurturing and guiding others with love.
In the Gospel, we encounter a pivotal moment in Matthew’s narrative. Jesus asks His disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” The disciples report various opinions, but it is Peter who confesses, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This profession of faith is not merely a human insight; it is a revelation from God. Jesus responds by declaring Peter the rock upon which He will build His Church, granting him the keys of the kingdom. This passage highlights the central role of faith in Jesus Christ as the foundation of the Church and the importance of trusting in God’s plan.
Together, these readings remind us that our lives, like the Church, are built on the rock of faith in Jesus Christ. Whether we are called to leadership or to simpler forms of service, we are all invited to live with humility, integrity, and generosity. Let us strive to follow Jesus with courage and trust, knowing that our efforts to serve others and live according to His will are not in vain. May we, like Peter, allow our faith to guide us and may we build our lives on the solid foundation of Christ, who is the ultimate source of strength and truth.