Daily Scripture, February 22, 2020
Scripture:
1 Peter 5:1-4
Matthew 16:13-19
Reflection:
Today is the feast of the Chair of Saint Peter.
Jesus himself handpicked his twelve apostles. Of those, Peter was chosen to lead them. The other Apostles did not challenge his authority as the head of the church on earth.
Not only did they not challenge his authority, they respected it. This is reflected in the gospel of John (20:4-5) when, although John was younger, and faster, he waited for Peter out of respect for this position as chief Apostle.
Other examples of this respect of Peters authority by the other apostles comes after Christ resurrection and include when Peter presides over the election of Matthias to replace Judas (Acts 1:26) and when he leads the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15).
St. Paul “goes to see Peter” out of respect for his position (Galatians 1:18).
Of the 12 apostles in scripture Peter is mentioned 195 times, John is second with, in comparison, a mere 29 times.
In Matthew chapter 10, where Matthew lists the twelve Apostles, He says, “the names of the 12 are these, FIRST Peter.”
The most important reason Peter is the authority that we look to as the first Pope, is written in the Gospel today, Matthew 16:13-19
“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”
Christ named him, the Apostles followed him, the early church was built respecting him. There have been 266 direct in line from him. Christ has built His church on Peter and although we humans have tried to wreck it, “the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.”
Kate Mims is the Retreat Center Director at Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center in Houston, Texas.
Scripture: Isaiah 25:6-10a Philippians 4:12-14,19-20 Matthew 22:1-14 Reflection: Jesus never explicitly says what the kingdom of heaven is. Instead he says it is like such and such. In this parable, the kingdom is likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Galatians 3:22-29 Luke 11:27-28 Reflection: A group of enthusiastic retreatants shouted "Amen!" one weekend when asked if they believe in the Communion of Saints. They were affirming and celebrating an ancient truth – Yes, we, the Church Militant, are part of the Communion of » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31-5:1 Luke 11:29-32 Reflection: On my mom’s first visit to Immaculate Conception rectory, Fr. Eric said to her: "How does it feel to have a son who is a slave of the church?" The question startled her, and she really didn’t » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Galatians 3:7-14 Luke 11:15-26 Reflection: In Jesus’ day, the factions of the religious elite pitted themselves against each other. They so emphasized the letter of the law that they lost sight of the spirit and faith behind it. They judged others harshly and negatively, » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Galatians 5:18-25 Luke 11:42-46 Reflection: St. Theresa of Avila was a great mystic of the sixteenth century and reformer of the Carmelite Nuns. The reading from Romans defines her life. Theresa led the reform of Carmel against strong internal opposition. She had to be » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Galatians 3:1-5 Luke 11:5-13 Reflection: The baby had a stuffy nose, the kind of yucky, mucous congestion so common in infants. The mother heard the whimpering and fussing begin, again, and turned over to look at the clock: 3:45. The fourth time in what » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Galatians 2:1-2, 7-14 Luke 11:1-4 Reflection: During this Jubilee year of St. Paul the Apostle, his letter to the Galatians gives us insight into Paul’s character. Paul was a courageous man who lived without compromise. In the Acts of the Apostles Chapter 24 we » Continue Reading.
Scripture: Galatians 1:13-24 Luke 10:38-42 Reflection: "You kids are not like Jesus, he would be in church saying the Rosary, but you raise a riot and keep your pastor awake!" Not a true story, but it ought to be! The Rosary came in as a » Continue Reading.
Feast of St. Francis of Assisi Scripture: Galatians 6:14-18 Matthew 11:25-30 Reflection: As the month of October continues to unfold and the lives of many religious founders are shared with us, today’s special scripture selections for the Feast of St. Francis help us recognize and » Continue Reading.
Feast of Blessed Isidore DeLoor, Passionist Scripture: Galatians 1:6-12 Luke 10:25-37 Reflection: If a person does a good deed for someone, that person is referred to as a "Good Samaritan." That phrase has worked its way into our common language. But it is not a » Continue Reading.
