Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection February 22, 2025
6th Week in Ordinary Time
22nd February 2025 (Saturday)
Psalter: Week 2
Readings of the Day
First Reading: 1 Peter 5:1-4
Beloved: I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Psalm 23:1-3a, 4, 5, 6 (R. 1)
R/. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
R/. Alleluia.
Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19
At that time: When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
Saturday – 6th Week in Ordinary Time
Main Point: The Church is not a mere human association or a structure and system of power. And authority is not a medium of self-projection or instrument of dominance
Today we celebrate the feast of the Chair of Peter. In the first place, this feast reminds us that the Church is one and must be a symbol of unity. A church that is divided, saddled with dissensions and rivalry, is a contradiction to its very nature. Such a divided church is a deep displeasure to God, and a blatant counter-witness to the world.
This celebration is also a strong recall to check upon our ideas of church and power and authority. Subsequently it is also a summon to recapture the lost clarity and spirit. The Church is not just an organization of structures, doctrines and tradition. It is a living and dynamic reality. It is deeply personal.
It is the living body of the person of Christ. It is the community of believers. Strictly speaking, the Church is “she”. Yes, she is the bride of Christ, the sole bridegroom. She is the sacrament of salvation. She is the living testimony of God’s own love and mission.
Surely there is a hierarchy of authority. Some in the line of St Peter are placed “over” others. But it is not to rule or lord over them, it is not to subjugate them by constraint and coercion. The real authority is a matter of shepherding and witnessing by one’s life- example. How rightly Peter reminds us in his first letter: Tend the flock that is entrusted to you, not forcefully or indifferently or selfishly, but willingly, eagerly and authentically.
Authority is a gift from God, and so it is very sacred. This demands a constant spirit of reverence, humility and responsibility towards the power one wields and the authority one exercises. God has vested the authorities with power, not for manipulation or self- assertion and self- promotion. It will be a sacrilege if someone abuses it.
It is so sad that today, a good number seem to lose sight of this sacredness of power and authority. More and more, it is tainted with worldly standards and interests. The image of shepherd-servant leadership that cares, guides and serves, seems to be a mirage!
My Practice: If only the message of today on authority is a little louder to some of those in authority, if only they are a little more attentive to follow it, how blessed will be faith and the church!
