Daily Mass Reading & Meditation for Saturday, 22 February
2014 - Catholic Meditations
Meditation: Matthew 16: 13 Now when Jesus came into the parts
of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I,
the Son of Man, am?”
14 They said, “Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and
others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the
living God.”
17 Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for
flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
18 I also tell you that you are Peter,[a] and on this rock[b] I will build my
assembly, and the gates of Hades[c] will not prevail against it. 19 I will give
to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will
have been bound in heaven; and whatever you release on earth will have been
released in heaven.”
Footnotes:
a. Matthew 16:18 Peter’s name, Petros in Greek, is the word for
a specific rock or stone.
b. Matthew 16:18 Greek, petra, a rock mass or bedrock.
c. Matthew 16:18 or, Hell
The Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle
You are Peter. (Matthew 16:18)
Have you ever wanted to be someone else? Walter Mitty, the
character in a well-known short story, is a bored suburbanite who imagines
himself in such exciting roles as a Navy pilot, a famous surgeon, and a
dangerous spy. In these imaginary situations, he is stronger, more courageous,
and more decisive than in real life.
You might wonder if Peter had ever fantasized about doing
something else when he was a fisherman. Well, as it turned out, Peter got not
only a new job but a new name as well. He became “the Rock” on which Jesus
built his Church. However, unlike Walter Mitty, Peter didn’t suddenly morph
into someone else in an imaginary world. He grew into his new identity, making
a lot of mistakes along the way. He even denied knowing Jesus at one point! But
he kept at it, and eventually he became all that Jesus had envisioned.
This is how it works in our lives as well. When we are
confirmed, we take on a new name, a saint’s name. Then we commit ourselves to
trying to grow in holiness, all the while learning how to yield to the Spirit’s
work in our lives. It’s no fantasy. We know that we are weak, but we can take
comfort in the fact that the Spirit is powerful and loves to give us his
strength.
Today, as you celebrate Peter’s role as bishop and apostle,
remember that this onetime fisherman didn’t start out as a saint. But God
didn’t give up on him, and he didn’t give up on God! Today is a day to remember
that God doesn’t give up on you—so don’t give up on him! He is always ready to
give you more and more grace so that you can become the hero or heroine you
want to be deep down inside. Try your best today to stay focused on “the prize
of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). And remember that
your heavenly Father is right there beside you, cheering you on, every step of
the way.
“Lord, I place my trust in you. Teach me, and remove all the
stumbling blocks that keep me from becoming the saint you have called me to
be.” Amen!
1 Peter 5:1 I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder,
and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory
that will be revealed. 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you,
exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for
dishonest gain, but willingly; 3 neither as lording it over those entrusted to
you, but making yourselves examples to the flock. 4 When the chief Shepherd is
revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn’t fade away.
Psalm 23:1 Yahweh is my shepherd:
I shall lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside
still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He guides me in the
paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me.
Your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my
enemies.
You anoint my head with oil.
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the
days of my life,
and I will dwell in
Yahweh’s house forever.
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