Daily Readings - Thu Feb 22 2024
1 Peter
1To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed:2Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve;3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Matthew
13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"14They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."15"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."17Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will 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.