Daily Readings - Thu Feb 22 2018
First Reading - 1 Peter 5.1-4
1 Peter
1The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:2Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;3Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.4And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Gospel - Matthew 16.13-19
Matthew
13When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?14And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.15He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt 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.