The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to seek the inspiration of the Spirit as we accept the mission to participate with Christ as servant-leaders of the flock.
The reading from the First Letter of Peter instructs us to initiate Christ in tending the Flock of God.
* [5:1–4] In imitation of Christ, the chief shepherd, those entrusted with a pastoral office are to tend the flock by their care and example.
* [5:1] Presbyters: the officially appointed leaders and teachers of the Christian community (cf. 1 Tm 5:17–18; Ti 1:5–8; Jas 5:14).
* [5:4] See note on 1 Pt 2:25. (1 Peter, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 23 praises the Divine Shepherd.
* [Psalm 23] God’s loving care for the psalmist is portrayed under the figures of a shepherd for the flock (Ps 23:1–4) and a host’s generosity toward a guest (Ps 23:5–6). The imagery of both sections is drawn from traditions of the exodus (Is 40:11; 49:10; Jer 31:10). (Psalms, PSALM 23 | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of Matthew presents Peter’s Declaration about Jesus.
* [16:13–20] The Marcan confession of Jesus as Messiah, made by Peter as spokesman for the other disciples (Mk 8:27–29; cf. also Lk 9:18–20), is modified significantly here. The confession is of Jesus both as Messiah and as Son of the living God (Mt 16:16). Jesus’ response, drawn principally from material peculiar to Matthew, attributes the confession to a divine revelation granted to Peter alone (Mt 16:17) and makes him the rock on which Jesus will build his church (Mt 16:18) and the disciple whose authority in the church on earth will be confirmed in heaven, i.e., by God (Mt 16:19). (Matthew, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)
Molly Mattingly comments that the Chair of St. Peter symbolizes the pope’s responsibility to hand down Christ’s teachings from generation to generation.
All this is present in his reminder to his fellow presbyters, when he teaches them to be examples to the flock. Do they remember they are peers? Do they remember what it means to lay down their lives for the sheep? Do they remember their identity as followers of the “chief Shepherd” is more fundamental than their leadership itself? It is a reminder of humility, and wariness of exercising power for their own sake.
In the Gospel reading from Matthew, Peter demonstrates how he follows Jesus. He knows Jesus is the Messiah and he’s not afraid to own it. For this faith, Jesus gives him a new name: Rock. Peter’s trust and courage is a solid foundation on which Jesus can build.
May all of us – ordained, religious, and lay – have Peter’s trust to follow our chief Shepherd, Peter’s courage in proclaiming Christ’s Gospel, and Peter’s humility in serving those assigned to us. (Mattingly, 2025)
Don Schwager quotes Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD), an early church father, who comments on Peter's profession of faith in Jesus:
Peter did not say "you are a Christ" or "a son of God" but "the Christ, the Son of God." For there are many christs [meaning anointed ones] by grace, who have attained the rank of adoption [as sons], but [there is] only one who is by nature the Son of God. Thus, using the definite article, he said, the Christ, the Son of God. And in calling him Son of the living God, Peter indicates that Christ himself is life and that death has no authority over him. And even if the flesh, for a short while, was weak and died, nevertheless it rose again, since the Word, who indwelled it, could not be held under the bonds of death. (FRAGMENT 190) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 16:13-19 notes that on today’s feast of the Chair of St. Peter, we are reminded of all the ways that Jesus has given us the Church as a stronghold with a rock-solid foundation. Not only will Jesus himself be with his people, but he will always give them a faith-filled shepherd in the person of Peter and his successors. These shepherds will hand down the truth of the gospel: that Jesus has saved us from sin and death so that we can live with him forever.
Through the Church, we will find all the grace we need to combat the powers of darkness and to share the good news of the gospel. Today, let’s pray for all the shepherds who are called to lead the body of Christ. Let’s also pray that we, too, will hear and act on God’s call to us to share the power of his love and mercy, a power that will always prevail against darkness and death!
“Jesus, help me to advance the mission of your Church to proclaim the gospel to the world.” (Meditation on Matthew 16:13-19, 2025)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that Silvanus, a secretary to Peter, may have improved the Greek in Peter’s letter that some consider questions the letter's authorship. The rebuke of Peter at Caesarea Philippi in Mark’s Gospel is immediate but Matthew first has Jesus install Peter with the keys of the Kingdom and the rabbinic power to loose and bind. Friar Jude notes the use of the term “Church” at the time that Matthew wrote his Gospel.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces theologians and activists Rev. Dr. Alexia Salvatierra and Dr. Peter Heltzel who explore how we can live out the biblical virtue of solidarity.
Solidarity is a term commonly used in Latin America to describe the commitment and engagement of those who are not poor in struggles for justice. Joerg Rieger speaks of deep solidarity as rooted in the recognition that “we are really in the same boat. The system that is not benefitting the poor is not benefitting us either. Jesus goes out to the lost sheep, the lost son and yells at the holders of privilege.” [1] Those who are engaged in solidarity are committed to a partnership with the poor that rectifies the imbalances of our society. Solidarity does not imply a superior virtue. It is, rather, a matter of recognizing the need for the gifts and leadership of the poor in the struggle to create the beloved community that will bless us all. (Rohr, n.d.)
Our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader is the preparation from which the Spirit informs our response to “Who do you say I am?”
References
Matthew, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/16?13
Mattingly, M. (2025, February 22). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Retrieved February 22, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/022225.html
Meditation on Matthew 16:13-19. (2025, February 22). The Word Among Us. Retrieved February 22, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/02/22/1208285/
1 Peter, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1peter/5?1
Psalms, PSALM 23 | USCCB. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved February 22, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/23?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Loving Other Stories: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 22, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/loving-other-stories-weekly-summary/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 22, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=feb22a
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