Daily Gospel Reflection
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February 22, 2022
When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi
he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter said in reply,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
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.”
Envision Saint Peter’s thoughts as Jesus tasked him to establish Christ’s Church and evangelize the world. What an assignment! How would we evaluate a similar notion in today’s world? We benefit from Christianity already being established but still face some of the same hurdles as Peter. For example, our modern society has dwindling authentic experiences of Christ and the Church.
How can we make an impact?
I believe it begins when we open our eyes each morning. Asking God to open our hearts, we must listen attentively to God’s call to impact the lives around us. Whom does God want us to help? What unseen opportunities surround us to serve a family member, friend, co-worker, or stranger in tangible ways?
At day’s end, I believe it would help to check in again by going through a short examination of conscience. Can we recall a memorable moment of love? How did it impact the other person? How did that make us feel? Will we be inspired to try it again tomorrow, the next, and afterward? We must find our Saint Peter moments that build up the Church.
After joining Jesus, Peter offered his entire life. We, too, can be inspirational by simply living life as Jesus taught. Just as Jesus galvanized Peter, we must be motivated by Jesus’ words: “whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven .”
Let us pursue actions exemplary of seeking heaven by committing to make a difference in our surroundings. In this, may we lead others closer to Jesus and the Church.
Prayer
Ever-loving Father, you established your Church upon the rock of Peter to be a refuge for sinners and a fortress of strength for all who call upon you. Continue to stretch forth your hand and protect all men and women who place their lives in your divine care, especially those in serious danger of physical or spiritual harm. We ask this through your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Saint of the Day
Today’s feast celebrates St. Peter, the rock upon whom Jesus built the Church. “You are Peter,” Jesus said, “and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it” (Mt 16:18).
The early Church in Rome was in the custom of marking the date that Peter arrived to publicly lead their community. Each year on this date, they dedicated the empty chair Peter sat on when he presided over the community in prayer. He used to sit in the chair to receive newly converted Christians who were baptized. Still dripping wet, they would come to him in this chair to be anointed and confirmed.
February 22 was chosen to coincide with what was understood as the anniversary of the day on which Jesus entrusted the Church to Peter with the words from Matthew’s Gospel above. The actual chair of this feast was lost long ago in one of the several invasions and plunderings of Rome.
St. Peter is depicted in several places on campus. The mosaic featured today stands on the exterior of the front of the Basilica, and the stained glass window (shown below) comes from that church as well. Relics of St. Peter rest in the reliquary chapel, including a piece of the cross on which he was crucified upside-down.
On today's feast, many may have on their minds the scandals and the corruption in the Church that have been front page news in recent years. Peter, although a saint, was an ordinary man who had to constantly convert himself throughout his life to follow Christ more completely. The community founded upon him must always do the same. May we pray today for the constant conversion of the hearts of each minister and member of the Church, that we may reach out to those who have been wounded and that we may all seek to convert and heal the mystical body of Christ of which we are a part.
On this feast of the Chair of St. Peter, let us pray for the pope and for the Church!