Daily Readings - Mon Feb 22 2021
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 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.