+ This feast of the Chair of St. Peter commemorates three things: of
highest importance it celebrates the
faith of St. Peter which is the very foundation and focal point of the
whole Church: the Church was built upon the profession of faith made by Peter
when he proclaimed: You are the Christ,
the Son of the living God. He made this proclamation prompted by the Holy
Spirit – and it is this very divine intervention that confirms the supernatural
basis of what Church is. Peter then is “chief believer” and all who belong to
Christ through baptism, follow his lead.
The
feast also commemorates Peter’s subsequent leadership over the rest of the Twelve whom he leads and guides,
strengthens and nurtures after the exhortation of Christ who wants a solid and
unified college of men in charge of the flock that would gather down the ages.
This leadership is symbolized in the very chair that Peter sat in to teach,
rule and guide the church, and it symbolizes the authority and unifying element
that resides in the office of pope. Currently, His Holiness Pope Francis
occupies that seat.
And
lastly, the feast commemorates the local bishop’s unifying
role and leadership in the diocesan setting. The cathedra or chair that he presides from in his cathedral symbolizes
a direct relation to the chair of Peter in Rome, and his office and
responsibility ought to be given the same respect as that of its European
counterpart. In a real way, the celebrant’s chair in any parish church or
chapel (which can be occupied by the local bishop at any time) is also meant to
be symbolic of a representative of Christ’s action and presence in the world
today! May we all give it such reverence and respect.
Let us
then today, on this feast of faith, this feast of unity, this feast of
commitment, rededicate ourselves to the roles given by our states in life and
places in the Mystical Body of Christ for its good and its growth!
You
are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church;
the gates
of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
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