Feast of the Chair
of St. Peter, apostle
(I Peter 5:1-4; Matthew 16:13-19)
Pope Francis has alarmed many with his prediction that he
will not serve very long as Bishop of Rome.
Although he appears strong, he has only one lung. What is more, he is already in his eightieth
year. Nevertheless, he expends himself by
going out of his way to be with the little people who matter so much to
God. He exemplifies as well as any other
pope since those who were martyred in the first three centuries, the lesson of
today’s first reading.
The passage underscores the pope’s and, indeed, all priests’
need of humility. It expressly says that
they are not to lord it over the faithful.
That kind of behavior would give counter-testimony to Christ who humbled
himself to the point of undergoing unjust execution. Nor are they to seek favors for their work as
this would undermine their credibility. On
the positive side, they are to eagerly look after and encourage the faithful. After all, only joyful care-giving will capture
hearts for Christ. Especially the Vicar
of Christ, for whom there is no retirement plan, will necessarily wear himself
out with such responsibilities.
Pope Francis gives of himself so generously as an example
to the rest of us. He wants to encourage
us to be humble and to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of the needy. Admittedly he sets the bar high, but we also
are strengthened by Christ to serve one another.
