Today we celebrate the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle. Jesus is giving us a shepherd on earth, a shepherd of souls, who we call the Holy Father, or the Pope.
But lest we think that the Pope or any priest is a god-like entity, we see in today’s readings the need for guidance and forgiveness from Jesus, the high priest, and shepherd of all.
St. Peter teaches the presbyters or priests two things in our first reading. The first is to tend the flock selflessly without counting the personal cost. And secondly, not to lord their power over people but to lead by example. Peter is reminding them that to be a priest of Jesus; we need to imitate Jesus in how He served God the Father and his flock.
The key for Peter, his successors, all priests, and the people of God is found in today’s gospel. It’s located in Jesus’ question: “Who do you say that I am?” It’s sometimes easy to reply with words like, “Jesus is my Lord and Savior,” but as St. Peter cautions, it’s sometimes hard to live those words.
In the gospel, we see a transformation of Simon when he makes his confession--that “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” To mark this change, Jesus calls Simon Peter.
Peter’s new name, meaning rock, signifies that he is no longer the sum of his failures, sins, missed chances, or any other limitations suffered outside of life with Christ — for Christ is our Savior, our hope.
My brothers and sisters, when you or I confess Christ for who He truly is, we too are blessed with a new identity. It’s then that we’re freed from our egos and temptation to isolate ourselves from God and others.
So, where do we find the courage to see Jesus for who He really is, and not place limits on Him?
We know parts of our society only see Jesus as a wise man or wonder worker and therefore look elsewhere for redemption and authority over our lives. Jesus knew this would be our temptation, and so he built His Church upon the Rock of Peter.
And, through the teaching office of Peter and his successors, we can see Jesus as the Truth in our lives.
And, when we fall short, when sin gets in the way of our relationship with God and others, through Jesus giving Peter the Sacrament of Penance, we like Peter have the grace of God, to begin again and live a life with Jesus, "the Christ, the Son of the living God."
May God bless you and your families this holy day!
