Reflection for Saturday February 22 Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle: Matthew 16:13-19

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 

Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 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. 

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.”

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Reflection:

Do you know Saint Peter? 

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter. Peter is the most prominent apostle; Jesus built and founded the Church through him, and he was also the leader of the Twelve. Peter unwaveringly spread the Gospel of Jesus, even at the expense of his own life. 

If someone were to ask us this question: “Who is Jesus to you?” I am sure our answer would depend on how well we know Jesus. Some of us may say that Jesus is a friend who is always there for us, a friend who walks with us and is ever ready to listen to us. 

This was the question Jesus posed to His disciples: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” The people were unsure, for they did not know Jesus well. Then Jesus asked the apostles: “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in response, “Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah.” Peter knew Jesus well because, more than any other apostle, he was always prominently with Jesus (Matthew 10:2; 14:28; 15:15; 17:24; 19:27; Luke 8:51; 12:41). 

Peter also initially did not want Jesus to wash his feet (John 13:7-9). When Jesus was about to be arrested by the Roman soldiers, it was Peter who drew his sword and cut off the ear of the soldier (John 18:10). Peter was the first apostle to enter the empty tomb of Jesus (Luke 24:12), and he was the first apostle to whom Jesus appeared after His resurrection (Luke 24:34). 

Like Peter, are we always prominently with Jesus through our prayers, through the Sacraments, and by always being present at Sunday Mass? Like Peter, do we have the desire to know Jesus fully by regularly reading the Bible, especially the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John? 

If Jesus were to ask you this question today: “Who do you say that I am?” would He be satisfied with your reply? – Marino J. Dasmarinas