Today Catholics around the world celebrate the feast day of the Chair of St Peter. It signifies the unity of Holy Mother Church founded upon Peter and the Apostles through Christ our Lord. Through sacred scripture we can understand the great importance of the role of St Peter as vicar of Christ for us and the sacredness of Apostolic succession.
Jesus did not choose pure, perfect, unblemished and highly educated men to be sent His Apostles; to be His light in the world. St Peter and most of his companions were simple ordinary fishermen made extraordinary through the power and authority of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who died for our sins. After His resurrection the Apostles were led by the Holy Spirit to become great fishers of men for God our Father’s Kingdom.
The same Holy Spirit guides Holy Mother Church this day and so the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. Therefore we must honour our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by pledging our allegiance to Holy father Pope Francis who bears his cross and sits in St Peter’s chair to lead us our Good Shepherd’s flock.
Let us pray one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be for him and his intentions…..Amen
First reading
1 Peter 5:1-4 ·
Watch over the flock, not simply as a duty but gladly
Now I have something to tell your elders: I am an elder myself, and a witness to the sufferings of Christ, and with you I have a share in the glory that is to be revealed. Be the shepherds of the flock of God that is entrusted to you: watch over it, not simply as a duty but gladly, because God wants it; not for sordid money, but because you are eager to do it. Never be a dictator over any group that is put in your charge, but be an example that the whole flock can follow. When the chief shepherd appears, you will be given the crown of unfading glory.
Gospel
Matthew 16:13-19
You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’
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