This feast honors the teaching authority of the Church... Christ gave it to Peter the first pope
Reflections on the readings for the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter (February 22, 2022): 1 PT 5:1-4, PS 23:1-3,4,5,6; MT 16:13-19
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
Only in understanding the sacrifice of Christ on the cross and His rising from the dead can the Church itself and the role of every member, starting with St. Peter, make sense.
This is an unusual celebration for the Church. We do not honor St. Peter as Simon Peter, the fisherman turned follower of Christ and the First of the Twelve. Instead we look to Peter as the one chosen by “the Son of the living God” to receive a divine revelation -- and to be called to a unique role in the Church of Jesus Christ. In today’s Gospel we hear Jesus asking His disciples who people thought He was. They reported that some in the crowds had called Him a prophet. So, our Lord asks what they think about Him. So Simon Peter speaks, up acknowledging Him not only as the Messiah, but also as the Son of the Father. Jesus makes an announcement that must have mystified all who heard it. “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:18-19).
Shortly after this encounter, our Lord starts telling His followers about the Passion and Resurrection He will experience. Only in understanding the sacrifice of Christ on the cross and His rising from the dead can the Church itself and the role of every member, starting with St. Peter, make sense. Pope Francis, quoting St. Augustine, has said: “The Church ‘will not fall, because she is founded on the rock, from which Peter’s name derives. It is not the rock that draws its name from Peter, but Peter who draws it from the rock; just as it is not the name Christ that derives from Christian, but the name Christian which derives from Christ. … The rock is Christ, upon which foundation Peter too was edified.’” Jesus was and is the head of His Church. Nevertheless, He wanted a particular person to have earthly authority inspired by the Holy Spirit. That has been true for almost two thousand years. Ordinary human beings who are capable of serving God -- and, sadly, sometimes, of failing Him -- have been called to guide the Body of Christ. This Feast of Chair of St. Peter reminds us to strive to remain united in faith as disciples of our Redeemer.
