Readings: 1 Peter 5:1-4; Psalm 23; Matthew 16:13-19
Our feast today celebrates the seat of authority within the Church, the authority conferred on Peter in today’s Gospel. History witnesses to this apostolic succession throughout the ages. As the readings indicate, this authority is not a worldly authority, often aimed at dominance. Instead, it is the authority of a shepherd. Read Psalm 23, “The Lord is my Shepherd”. Peter, in the first reading, provides advice to Church leaders about how to exercise their shepherding authority well. “… not under compulsion, but willingly … not for sordid gain, but eagerly … not to lord it over those in your charge … but be examples to your flock.” Leading by example! Good instincts are instilled into most animals from birth: humans depend on learning. And let’s face it, some bad lessons are also being taught. And sometimes, the good lessons don’t take. We need help from our shepherds.
Psalm 23 today reassures us that the Lord’s ways of shepherding bring peace, capable of helping us deal all kinds of difficulties, within the flock and outside it. Within the Church we deal with difficulties, with other faith-filled people who do think and act differently than we do. Yes, sometimes we are like sheep leading sheep. But without the Holy Spirit helping all of us, we could not share in this confidence.
Jesus promises us the same shepherding: “And I tell you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” The apostles, like the rest of us, flawed and weak, needed to be tended to. Jesus was ready to build His Church with them, fanning the flame into a fire. Jesus does not promise that the Church will have no troubles. But He does promise that the Church will prevail.
These are difficult times, made more challenging by the pandemic. Like all times, ours is not unique. The Church still has to face challenges. Let’s cling to Jesus, our Shepherd, and to Francis our chief Shepherd in the Church, listening, supporting and praying for him, as well as for one another. After all, we all have our own little flocks to tend, to lead by example.