Daily Readings - Thu Feb 22 2024

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 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.