Daily Readings - Mon Feb 22 2021
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 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.