Daily Readings - Sat Feb 22 2020
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 leadership, faith, and the foundation of the Church. In the first reading from 1 Peter, we hear a call to those entrusted with shepherding God’s people. Peter emphasizes that leadership is not about power or personal gain but about serving with humility and integrity. He reminds us that true authority comes from God and that leaders must care for the flock willingly and selflessly. This passage is a reminder that all of us, in our own ways, are called to lead and serve others, whether in our families, communities, or places of work.
In the Gospel, we encounter a pivotal moment in the life of Jesus. When Jesus asks His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” it is a question that prompts them to reflect on the whispers and opinions of the world. But then Jesus turns to them and asks, “Who do you say that I am?” It is Peter who, inspired by God, confesses, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This confession is not just a statement of faith; it is the rock upon which Jesus builds His Church. Peter’s declaration reminds us that our faith is not based on human wisdom but on the revelation of God. It is this same faith that grounds us today and calls us to live as witnesses of Christ in the world.
These readings challenge us to examine our own lives. How do we lead and serve others? Do we do so with humility and integrity, or are we tempted by self-interest? And how do we respond to Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” Our answer to this question shapes how we live, how we love, and how we share the Gospel with others. May we, like Peter, be bold in our confession of faith and may we, like the good shepherd, care for one another with selfless love. Let us remember that the Church is not just an institution but a living body of believers, and we are all called to build it up in truth and love.