Daily Readings - Thu Feb 22 2024
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 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.