FEAST OF THE CHAIR OF SAINT PETER
First Reading - 1 Peter 5:1-4
Gospel - Matthew 16:13-19
The Gospel presents the well-known account of Peter’s confession. When Jesus asks His disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” He receives various answers. However, when He directs the question to them personally—“Who do you say I am?”—Peter steps forward and proclaims, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This response sets Peter apart as the leader of the emerging Church. Jesus affirms this by declaring that He will build His Church upon this “rock.” Peter, as the first to recognize Jesus for who He truly is, becomes the first foundation stone of the Church, uniting those who come into fellowship with Christ. Furthermore, Jesus entrusts Peter with the keys to the Kingdom, making him a steward who will guide and open the doors of faith to both Jews and Gentiles.
The first reading presents a compelling example of Peter’s leadership in action. He identifies himself as a fellow elder and exhorts other leaders to guide the people with integrity, not by mere instruction but by living as models of faith. Peter emphasizes that leadership is not about domination but about shepherding with care, humility, and responsibility. He reminds his fellow leaders that their vocation is divinely ordained and, when fulfilled faithfully, will be rewarded by Christ in His glory.
Dear friends, today’s feast of the Chair of St. Peter reminds us that true leadership is rooted in service, not in control. Jesus entrusted Peter with the care of His fledgling Church, and Peter, in turn, led with compassion, setting a standard for leadership that prioritizes the well-being of others. He urges his fellow leaders to serve by example, avoiding any self-serving motives hidden behind the guise of authority. This offers us a powerful model of leadership—one that is lived out rather than imposed.
We are called to be leaders who, as Pope Francis beautifully puts it, “carry the smell of the sheep.” Too often, leadership is mistaken for power and domination, which contradicts the example set by St. Peter and echoed by Pope Francis. We are invited to be leaders who are deeply connected with the people, guiding and accompanying them with both our words and our way of life.
Moreover, leadership is a vocation given by God, and it must be lived responsibly. We are accountable for the roles we assume in guiding others. At different points in our lives, we all play the role of leaders—parents guiding their families, teachers shaping young minds, religious men and women leading in spiritual matters, catechists instructing in faith, and many others who take on leadership in their respective fields. Each of these roles is an opportunity to lead with responsibility, humility, and faithfulness.
Let us pray that the Church may be blessed with more leaders who are dedicated to the service and well-being of humanity.
.jpeg)
0 Comments