Daily Readings - Tue Feb 22 2022
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
In today’s readings, we hear powerful messages about leadership, faith, and the call to serve. The first reading from 1 Peter reminds us that leadership in the Church is not about power or profit but about shepherding God’s people with humility and integrity. Peter exhorts the elders to care for the flock willingly, not out of obligation, and to lead by example, trusting in God’s plan. This passage emphasizes the importance of selfless service and the responsibility of those in positions of leadership to guide with love and compassion.
The Gospel from Matthew takes us to a pivotal moment in the life of Jesus. In Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asks His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” The disciples recount various opinions, but Jesus presses them further: “Who do *you* say that I am?” Peter’s bold confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” reveals a deep faith that goes beyond human understanding. Jesus responds by establishing Peter as the rock upon which He will build His Church, giving him the keys of the kingdom. This passage reminds us that true leadership is rooted in faith and that our identity as followers of Christ is tied to our willingness to profess Him as Lord.
These readings are deeply connected. In 1 Peter, we see the practical application of leadership in the Church, while in Matthew, we witness the foundation of that leadership in the person of Peter. Together, they call us to reflect on our own role in the Body of Christ. Are we leading with humility and integrity? Are we willing to serve others selflessly? And perhaps most importantly, do we have the courage to profess our faith in Jesus Christ, even when it is challenging? Let us strive to live out our faith with the same boldness and humility as Peter, trusting that God will use us to build up His Church and bring light to a world in need.