Daily Readings - Tue Feb 22 2022
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
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.