Thursday, February 22, 2024
THE CHAIR OF ST PETER, AP. (Feast)
Office- Proper
Mass prop. Preface of the Apostles
Vestment: Violet
Today’s Rosary: The Luminous Mystery
Click HERE for the Previous Catholic Daily Reading
OTUKPO: Tomorrow is the 21th Anniversary of the episcopal ordination of Most Revd. M. Apachi, 23st February 2003
KASTINA ALA: Tomorrow is the 11th Anniversary of the episcopal ordination of Most Revd. Peter Iorzuul A, 23st February 2003
FIRST READING
I myself am a fellow elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ.
A reading from the first Letter of Saint Peter (1 Peter 5:1-4)
Beloved: I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker in the glory that is to be revealed. Tend the flock of God that is your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd is manifested you will obtain the unfading crown of glory.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 23:1 -3a.3b-4.5.b
R/. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me;
he revives my soul. R/.
He guides me along the right path,
for the sake of his name.
Though I should walk in the
valley of the shadow of death,
no evil would I fear, for you are with me.
Your crook and your staff will give me comfort. R/.
R/. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You have prepared a table before me
in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
my cup is overflowing. R/.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell
for length of days unending. R/.
Acclamation: Matthew 16:18
You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
GOSPEL
“You are Peter, and I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 16:13-19)
At that time: When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Also Read: Daily Reading for Wednesday, February 21st, 2024
PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
Celebrant:
As we commemorate the authority conferred on Saint Peter and his successors over the church by Christ, let us ask God to strengthen the faith of our Holy Father and to grant him the grace to faithfully guide his flock on the path of eternal salvation.
FOR N., OUR HOLY FATHER: that God may strengthen him in his fulfilment of the mandate of proclaiming the Good News, and that by his ministry, humanity may be saved from the forces of darkness. We pray to the Lord.
FOR CHRISTIANS IN CIVIL AUTHORITY: that, through the exercise of their office, they may permeate the temporal order with the values of the Gospel. We pray to the Lord.
FOR MISSIONARIES: that the seed of faith they sow in the hearts of men and women may continually yield abundant fruits. We pray to the Lord.
FOR OUR PARISH COMMUNITY: that we may continue to listen to the voice of the Pope, the Vicar of Christ on earth, in matters of faith and morals. We pray to the Lord.
FOR OTHER INTENTIONS: (the sick, church projects or other activities).
FOR THE DEAD, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF OUR PARISH COMMUNITY AND FAMILY MEMBERS: that they may rest in peace. We pray to the Lord.
We pray in silence for our private intentions.
Celebrant:
God our Father, you built your church on the faith of the Apostles and have continued to nourish us through the sacraments. Grant that we may hold firm to the faith and make your message known through all the earth. Through Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen.
TODAY’S REFLECTION
Today we celebrate the ‘Chair of Saint Peter’. The Chair of Saint Peter represents the authority Jesus gave to Peter among the twelve apostles as their leader. Today’s Gospel brings into focus the election of Peter and his successors. When Jesus asked his disciples their perception and the peoples’ perception of him, he received several answers. It was only Simon who answered “you are the Son of the living God.” Instantly, Jesus reminded Simon that his answer was a revelation from God. Nonetheless, he changed his name from Simon to peter, and placed authority and responsibility of the new people of God, the church, on him. It is incontrovertible to argue, as some often do, that peter is not the first Pope. Jesus himself gave him this privilege, because it was revealed by the Father. We should always try to conform to the teachings of the church, for when the Church speaks through her leaders, it is Jesus that speaks. Listen.
THE CHAIR OF ST PETER: Today feast attested as early as the mid- fourth century (in the ‘Depositio martyrum’) has its roots in the commemoration of dead relatives and friends (Parentalia) celebrated in Rome between 13-22 February. At this commemoration, a Chair (Cathedra) was left empty for particular deceased persons. Since the actual date of Peter’s death was unknown, it came to be commemorated on 22 February, eventually celebrating his taking responsibility of the Church of Rome
PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL FOR LENT
It is always very challenging to acknowledge one’s fault and say ‘I am sorry’ when you have done wrong and offended God and your fellow human beings. However, that is the starting point in our process of reconciliation and healing. To humble yourself to say that you are sorry and you mean it from the depth of your heart is a simple way to start afresh.
Today, do not be too proud or ashamed to use the word ‘I am sorry’ even when the person you have offended is younger than you. Say it, mean it and heal the wounds of broken relationships
Let us pray,
Dear Jesus my shepherd, give me courage to overcome my fears, to stand firm in my faith, to live in accordance with your word, to walk the path of truth and love even when it is dangerous. Grant me courage to have dogged trust in your care and protection over me even in the midst of darkest situation.
Daily Reading for Thursday February 22, 2024
Reading 1, First Peter 5:1-4
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6
Gospel, Matthew 16:13-19
Reading 1, First Peter 5:1-4
1 I urge the elders among you, as a fellow-elder myself and a witness to the sufferings of Christ, and as one who is to have a share in the glory that is to be revealed:
2 give a shepherd’s care to the flock of God that is entrusted to you: watch over it, not simply as a duty but gladly, as God wants; not for sordid money, but because you are eager to do it.
3 Do not lord it over the group which is in your charge, but be an example for the flock.
4 When the chief shepherd appears, you will be given the unfading crown of glory.
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6
1 [Psalm Of David] Yahweh is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 In grassy meadows he lets me lie. By tranquil streams he leads me
3 to restore my spirit. He guides me in paths of saving justice as befits his name.
4 Even were I to walk in a ravine as dark as death I should fear no danger, for you are at my side. Your staff and your crook are there to soothe me.
5 You prepare a table for me under the eyes of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup brims over.
6 Kindness and faithful love pursue me every day of my life. I make my home in the house of Yahweh for all time to come.
Gospel, Matthew 16:13-19
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of man is?’
14 And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’
15 ‘But you,’ he said, ‘who do you say I am?’
16 Then Simon Peter spoke up and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’
17 Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a blessed man! Because it was no human agency that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven.
18 So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my community. And the gates of the underworld can never overpower it.
19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of Heaven: whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’
