Daily Readings - Sat Feb 22 2020
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.
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 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.