DATE : 22/2/2021 Monday of the first week of Lent
EVENT : The Chair of St. Peter (Feast)
COLOUR: White
READINGS : 1Pet. 5:1-4: Resp. Psalm 22:1-6; Matt. 16:13-19.
THEME: ONE LOVE AND ONE SPIRIT BIND US TOGETHER
Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Twenty Second day of February, on which the Church celebrates the chair of St. Peter's in Rome, day, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " One Love And One Spirit Bind Us Together". Beloved in Christ, according to the teaching of the Catholic Church, the Church has four marks. She is Holy, Apostolic, Catholic and One. Speaking about the Oneness of the Church means that, there is always unity, communion and sameness within the Church, because she has one head, Christ. Whose visible vicar on earth is the Pope. And she has one Spirit, who directs and leads all her affairs, the Holy Spirit of God. Thus, as long as Christ remains the head of the Church with the Holy Spirit as it's invisible and binding force, the Catholic Church will forever remain united and One. Hence, this feast of the chair of St. Peter's which we celebrate today, is meant to remind us and to celebrate the unity of the church of Christ on earth. Therefore, The feast of the Chair of St. Peter in general is about the formation of the Church when Christ said, “You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church.” (Matt. 16:18).
This feast has been celebrated at Rome, Italy from the early days of the Christian era on 18 January, in commemoration of the day when Saint Peter held his first service in Rome. Now, Rome and not Jerusalem was chosen as the seat of the Catholic Church for several reasons. In 70 A.D, Jerusalem was destroyed and the disciples dispersed as the Jews continued to make Jerusalem unfavourable to the nascent faith. Also, most of the early Christians migrated to Rome, and many of them were martyred there including St. Peter and St. Paul. Furthermore, at that time, Rome was the seat of the world's political powers, so the Church wanted to be close to the corridors of powers, where decisions affecting all were made. Lastly and most preferably, in honour of St. Peter whom Christ made the head of his church, a basilica was erected at his graveside in Rome where he was martyred, with a seat of power over his head. So, for easy and physical connection with him who was made the head, the succeeding vicars, used the basilica and sat at the chair which is over the head of Peter. And in the spirit of communion, all the Catholic churches around the world are connected with the Church of Rome and is administratively accountable to her.
Beloved, we know that God has no visible hands or mouth or legs. Rather, he makes us of human instruments even with their limitations to carry out his divine purposes. So, just like God made us of Moses and the other prophets of old to direct his people, in this our days, God also makes us of the Pope, bishops and his priests to direct and lead the affairs of his church. Thus, no bishop or priest owns any Church. Rather, they are mere administrative shepherds, called and chosen to direct the affairs of God's Church. Hence, in the first reading of today, 1Per. 5:1-4, St. Peter, as the first leader of the Church, admonishes bishops and priests on how to lead the church placed under their watch and care in these words:
"Be the shepherds of the flock of God that is entrusted to you: watch over it, not simply as a duty but gladly, because God wants it; not for sordid money, but because you are eager to do it. Never be a dictator over any group that is put in your charge, but be an example that the whole flock can follow".
So, basically, bishops and priests are not just meant to preach, but like Pope St. JohnPaul II, says, 'they must first be witnesses, if their preaching would have binding force'. Thus, although they are leaders of the church, their salvation is also at stake if they fail to discharge their responsibilities with honour and diligence. Therefore, as the flock and lay faithfuls, we owe it as a moral responsibility to always pray for, support and encourage our priests and bishops, and never to talk ill or gossip them, even when out of human weakness they fail in certain aspects of our expectations.
Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8).
LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, may your Holy Spirit continue to guide the Church and may no selfish human element disparage her......
The Lord be with you....... and with your Spirit.
May Almighty God bless you in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit ....Amen
HAPPY NEW WEEK BELOVED FRIENDS
@ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪
No comments:
Post a Comment