+ 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, Francis Bergoglio 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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