Daily Readings for February 22, 2016

Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, Apostle

1ST READING

The feast of the Chair of St. Peter celebrates the role of the Pope as leader of the Church. Jesus has left behind a structure for the Church that has evolved through the centuries to what it is today. Structures are both necessary and imperfect. They are necessary for organization and order; imperfect because they are composed of sinful people. Let us pray for the Pope daily as he leads the Church in its mission of evangelization.

1 Peter 5:1-4

1 Beloved: I exhort the presbyters among you, as a fellow presbyter and witness to the sufferings of Christ and one who has a share in the glory to be revealed. 2 Tend the flock of God in your midst, overseeing not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly. 3 Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

P S A L M

Psalm 23:1-3, 4, 5, 6

R: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; 3 he refreshes my soul. (R) 4 Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage. (R) 5 You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (R) 6 Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus gives authority to Peter above and beyond what the other Apostles receive. Peter is singled out in this dialogue with Jesus. The Church interprets this as the nascent affirmation for the role of an overall leader of the Church — the Pope. As we celebrate what is sometimes referred to as Pope Day, let us pray for the Pope as he listens to the Holy Spirit in leading and guiding the Church in its mission.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church; the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 16:13-19

13 When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 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. 18 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. 19 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.”

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