DAILY- HOMILY

22 February 2016

Chair of St. Peter, Apostle

Feast.   White.            

1 Pt 5:1– 4 / Mt 16:13 – 19.     

This feast is found in the oldest Roman calendar of 394, celebrated on 22 February, the day on which the deceased were commemorated.

Gospel Reading: Mt 16: 13 – 19

After that Jesus came to Caesarea Philippi.  He asked his disciples, "What do people say of the Son of Man?  Who do they say I am?" They said, "For some of them you are John the Baptist, for others Elijah or Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

Jesus asked them, "But you, who do you say I am?"  Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."  Jesus replied, "It is well for you, Simon Barjona, for it is not flesh or blood that has revealed this to you but my Father in heaven.

"And now I say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church; and never will the powers of death overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and what you unbind on earth shall be unbound in heaven."

Reflection

The election of a Pope to head the Church is a complex process which requires much discernment among the electing College of Cardinals.  Papabili are carefully selected, scrutinized and prayed for.  Before the white smoke indicating a new Pope comes out, there would have been discussions, consideration and prayers.

Today's Gospel reading tells how Christ promised to Peter that he would be the foundation Rock of the Church. After the resurrection, Jesus would affirm this promise after Peter had re-affirmed his love for Christ: "Feed my lambs. . . Look after my sheep . . . Feed my sheep." (Jn 21: 15 – 17)

Peter may not have been the most intelligent or most loyal or most competent among the apostles and close followers of Christ. Peter would even betray the Lord three times before lowly folk during his trial. But Jesus saw in Peter his immense capacity to love, a key requirement for one to hold the keys to the kingdom of heaven.

There are key times when we are challenged to decide whether to love or not to love. While the obvious antonym for love is hate, Pope Francis identifies indifference as the present day contra to love.  He has warned against the malaise of indifference.  While the decision-making process may be complicated and prolonged, we are reminded that we will all be measured and judged at the end by whether and how much we have loved God and our neighbor.

Let us all strive to love and to love more each day of our lives.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER DIARY INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     Augusto Bengzon

     Che B. Conception

AND FOR OTHER INTENTIONS

     For the healing and recovery of Patricia Chilcott

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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