Ngày 22/2/ Lễ kính ngày Lập Tông Tòa Thánh Phêrô

 Ngày 22/2/ Lễ kính ngày Lập Tông Tòa Thánh Phêrô (Matthew 16:13-19 )

Người ta nói Con Người là ai? Những ý kiến ​​bày tỏ về bản sắc của Chúa Jesus bị chia rẽ phân tâm. Một số người nghĩ Chúa là John the Baptist đã sống lại từ cõi chết; những người khác thì nghĩ Ngài là tiên tri Elijah, người tiên phong của Đấng Cứu thế, hay là tiên tri Giê-rê-mia hay một trong những tiên tri. Tuy nhiên, Chúa Giêsu muốn biết các môn đệ của Ngài nghĩ gì về Ngài khi Ngài hỏi họ: Còn các con, các con bảo Thầy là ai? Ông Phêrô đã trả lời là Thầy là Chúa Kitô, Con Thiên Chúa hằng sống. Việc công nhận này của Phêrô được Chúa chúc lành vì Chính Chính Thiên Chúa cha trên trời cho biết và Chúa Giêsu đã đặt tên cho ông có Nghĩa là đá và trên đá đó Phêrô được Chúa ban cho quyền bính và khóa để cai trị vương quốc của ngài, Phêrô đã trở thành quản gia của Vương quốc thiên đường trên trái đất, đó là người thường trực công việc quản gia. Vì vậy, sự quản lý và lãnh đạo trong cộng đồng Kitô hữu chúng ta được dựa trên lòng trung cuêa thanh Phêrô.

Trong bài đọc thứ Nhất, Peter tỏ ra cho chúng ta biết rõ về những phẩm chất của một người lãnh đạo. Là người từng theo Chúa từ ngay những ngày đầu, Thánh Phêrô thực sự là một nhân chứng cho sự đau khổ của Jesus và thánh Phêrô cũng là nhân chứng đáng chú ý vì chính mình ngài cũng đã phải chịu những sự đau khổ này. Qua hình ảnh người chăn chiên của Chúa, với tư cách là người giám sát, và như những người lớn tuổi kỳ lão nhất thường đề cập đến trong hình ảnh những nhà lãnh đạo Israel. Thánh Phêrô cũng cảnh báo rằng một nhà lãnh đạo không phải là một lãnh chúa có quyền hơn những người khác. Đức Giáo hoàng Phanxicô thường nhắc đến điều này trong các chuyến mục vụ trong Giáo hội. Trong ngày mừng lễ này, ngày lập toà thánh PHÊRÔ Xin Chúa, ban cho chúng ta có được những ân sủng để biết nghe theo lời kêu gọi sống đạo đức của các Giáo Hoàng,.

Feb 22/2019 Reflection Chair of Saint Peter, the Apostle

“Who do people say the Son of Man is?” The opinions expressed on Jesus’ identity are much divided. Some suggested him as John the Baptist risen from the dead; others Elijah, the fore-runner to the Messiah and Jeremiah as one of the prophets. Yet Jesus wanted to know what his disciples think about him when he asked them: “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” This double recognition by Peter became an occasion for the ‘Beatitudes’ and ‘new’ name, given to Peter as the Heavenly Father had revealed this truth to him. In v.19, the metaphors ‘rock’ and then ‘keys’ are referred. In the Old Testament, ‘to give the keys’ means to bestow authority. In receiving ‘the keys of the kingdom’, Peter became the steward of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth which is the permanent character of the steward’s work. So stewardship and leadership in the community is based on the kind of fidelity shown by Peter.

In the first reading, Peter spelt out the qualities of a leader. Being with Jesus from the early days of his ministry, Peter was truly a witness to Jesus’ suffering and Peter bore notable witness to this in his own suffering. The image of the ‘shepherd of God’s flock’, ‘as overseers’ and as ‘elders’ refer to that of the leaders of Israel. Peter also cautioned that a leader is not to lord it over others. Pope Francis has often reiterated this in our services in the Church. On this Feast of the Chair of Peter, Lord, grant us the graces to know the call to leadership as one of service.

22nd Feb 201 CHAIR OF SAINT PETER, THE APOSTLE

“Simon, Simon! Satan you must know has got his wish to sift you all like wheat; but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail, and, once you have returned, you in your turn must strengthen your brothers”.(Lk. 22:32).

Today’s Entrance Antiphon, taken from this passage, has a spiritual relevance beyond the context of the Last Supper. Space does not allow a full comment here, but a few indications may guide the reader. Jesus speaks to Peter in a more personal and intimate way, using his own name, Simon, not his “apostolic” name, “Peter”. He then reminds him that God will be present whatever events happen to draw good out of them.

Jesus then makes a remarkable statement: he has prayed for Simon. This is the only time that Jesus affirms that he prayed for an individual. We note that Jesus does not pray that Simon will not deny him. The focus of Jesus’ prayer is Simon himself. Moreover, Jesus is confident that his prayer will be answered: Simon possesses strong qualities which will help him to get beyond this crisis and assume a ministry of strengthening his brothers and sisters.

Lord Jesus pray for us, Your people that our faith may not fail; may we always be able to strengthen our brothers and sisters.

The Church Shall Always Prevail

Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, February 22

“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.” Matthew 16:18–19

There are several foundational truths taught to us by this passage above. One of those truths is that “the gates of the netherworld” shall never prevail against the Church. There is much to rejoice over by that fact. Think of the many human institutions that have existed throughout the centuries. The most powerful governments have come and gone. Various movements have come and gone. Countless organizations have come and gone. But the Catholic Church still remains and will remain until the end of time. That is one of the promises of our Lord that we celebrate today.

The Church has not remained simply because of good leadership all of these years. In fact, corruption and serious internal conflict have been evident within the Church from the beginning. Popes have lived immoral lives. Cardinals and bishops have lived as princes. Some priests have gravely sinned. And many religious orders have struggled with serious internal divisions. But the Church itself, this shining Bride of Christ, this infallible institution still remains and will continue to remain because Jesus guaranteed it.

With today’s modern media by which every sin of every member of the Church is able to be instantly and universally broadcast to the world, there can be a temptation to look down on the Church. Scandal, division, controversy and the like can shake us to the core, at times, and cause some to question their ongoing participation in the Roman Catholic Church. But the truth is that every weakness within Her members should actually be cause for us to renew and deepen our faith in the Church itself. Jesus did not promise that every Church leader would be a saint, but He did promise that “the gates of the netherworld” would not prevail against Her.

Reflect, today, upon your own view of the Church today. If scandals and divisions have weakened your faith, then turn your eyes to our Lord and to His holy and divine promise. The gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against the Church. That is a fact promised by our Lord Himself. Believe it and rejoice in that glorious truth.

My glorious Bridegroom, You have instituted the Church upon the rock foundation of Peter’s faith. Peter and all of his successors are Your precious gift to us all. Help me to see beyond the sins of others, the scandals and divisions, and to see You, my Lord, leading all people to salvation through Your bride the Church. I renew my faith, this day, in the gift of this One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Jesus, I trust in You.