Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Chair of Peter. The gospel highlights the crucial point in St. Peter’s life where he proclaims his faith in Jesus as the Christ. This time of Lent provides us an opportunity to reflect on our relationship with Jesus and how we can grow in our faith. When Jesus asks us the question, “Who do you say that I am?” how will we respond?
Today’s readings celebrate St. Peter and his role as shepherd of the Church. The first reading reflects on the how he is to be an “example to the flock” leading willingly and with eager attention. The responsorial response reminds us how God (the Chief Shepherd) leads his people to safety in love and with many blessings. This forms the backdrop for the gospel where Jesus asks His apostles, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is? “and “But who do you say I am?” It is St. Peter who responds with great faith and says, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” It is this great faith that allows Jesus to hand Peter the keys of the kingdom and to place the foundation of the Church in his care. The Great Shepherd is showing this newly appointed shepherd how to lead the flock.
When reflecting on scripture, I think that the Lord invites us to enter into the story to listen to how God is speaking to us. Although we are not all called to leadership in the church, we are all called to live out the life of a faithful disciple. In order to be a disciple, we must know who Jesus is, and how we are called to follow Him. Our belief in God is a personal and unique experience, so each individual encounters Jesus is a different way. Our faith calls us to search for ways to recognize Him more readily and to know Him more completely.
Lent is a perfect time to spend praying and reflecting on Jesus and His presence in our life. Whether it is in the sacraments (particularly the Eucharist), the community (the Body of Christ), our prayer, scripture, or in creation we experience in our daily lives, Jesus is inviting us to find Him and come to know His great love for us. Through our meditations on His passion and death, we are invited to recognize that Jesus is with us in our sufferings and pain. He knows what it means to be human and accompanies us in the joys and challenges of everyday existence.
As we take time to celebrate St. Peter and his faith journey, I wonder if God is calling us to stop and reflect on ours. Who is Jesus, and are we taking opportunities to grow in our faith in Him as our God, Shepherd and Savior? Spend some time in prayer today asking God the Father to deepen your faith, so we can believe that Jesus is by our side, and as our Good Shepherd, He will give us all that we need. May we imitate Jesus in our thoughts, words and deeds, so we can continue in the work of building His church on earth as it is in heaven.
Loving God, You sent Jesus to us to share your great love and mercy with us. Send your Spirit to deepen our faith, so we can believe in Jesus and His Way. May we follow Him in our lives, so others may know You and find hope and forgiveness. We pray this in Christ, our LORD. AMEN.
-Marylynn Herchline