Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, Apostle

First Reading | 1 Peter 5:1-4

Peter made many mistakes as he served the Church but he did his best. In the same way, God tells us to do our best to follow Him. He knows our weaknesses and is aware of the allure of temptation and sin. Let us heed His Word for us and avoid temptation.

¹ Beloved: I exhort the presbyters among you, as a fellow presbyter and witness to the sufferings of Christ and one who has a share in the glory to be revealed. ² Tend the flock of God in your midst, overseeing not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly. ³ Do not lord it over those assigned to you but be examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 23:1-3, 4, 5, 6

R: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

¹ The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. ² In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; ³ he refreshes my soul. (R) ⁴ Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage. (R) ⁵ You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. (R) ⁶ Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. (R)

Gospel | Matthew 16:13-19

Jesus set Peter apart and probably spent time working with him. Peter was impulsive but his heart was in the right place. He might not be the leader we would have chosen but he was Jesus’ choice as the first pope of the Church, following His ascension into heaven. There are no perfect leaders, so we pray that they will do their best in serving the Church.

Gospel Acclamation

You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church; the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.

¹³ When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” ¹⁴ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” ¹⁵ He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶ Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷ Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. ¹⁸ 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. ¹⁹ 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.”