Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, Apostle

Today's Mass Readings

Today’s feast day commemorates the Chair of St. Peter. This points to his authority as Pope and shows the authority of all of his successors, as well as the authority shared by all priests, an authority given by Christ Himself. This is why all of the readings today point to the Priesthood. These readings also point to the authority of parents, and how they participate in a unique priestly role in their households, sharing in the priesthood of the baptized. “Tend the flock in your midst…” This refers to your spouse and children. “Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock.” Parents are called to be imitators of Christ for their families; they are the exemplars of what it means to be a Christian man and a Christian woman. They are meant in this way to be a total self-gift to others, to know and love God, and to show their children how to do the same. This is a high calling, and no one is able to fulfill this calling alone. It can only be accomplished with Christ’s help, and this truth is a relief to many. With Christ as the center of one’s life, one is able to fulfill their calling in their vocation to the fullest. You don’t need to do it alone. If you ever feel unworthy in your vocation, pray to the Divine Shepherd with Psalm 23, “Even though I walk in the dark valley, I fear no evil; for you are at my side.” The reward for fulfilling one’s vocation is apparent at the end of the first reading “And when the Chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”

Reflection by Luke, seminarian