The Feast of the
Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle
(I Peter 5:1-4; Matthew 16:13-19)
St. Peter’s “Chair” is better rendered his “Throne.” It refers to the primacy of the pope in the
college of bishops. The pope, who is
bishop of Rome, oversees the unity of the global Church and the orthodoxy of its
doctrine. He appoints most of the other
bishops and encourages all of them to faithfully carry out their pastoral
responsibilities. Most of all, the pope
is to guide all Christians to the fullness of charity as Jesus taught.
To meet these daunting tasks requires divine help. In today’s gospel St. Peter shows that he has
access to such assistance. Jesus
announces that Peter could not have identified him as the “Christ” and “Son of
the living God” without the Father’s revelation. Jesus also says that Peter will receive the
“keys to the Kingdom of heaven.” Like
his chair, keys are a symbol of authority.
They refer primarily to the pope’s duty to decide which actions conform
to the teachings of Jesus and which do not.
Pope Francis has sat on the chair of Peter for almost
five years. Although he is admired throughout
the world, he has not pleased everyone within the Church. His particular emphasis on the poor and
suffering has caused a few to criticize his teaching as lax. But no one doubts Francis’ integrity or his personal
virtue. Above all, Francis strives to
imitate the historical Jesus by befriending everyone, especially those in the
most need of mercy.
