Today is the Feast Day of the Chair of St. Peter
The Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter is a day that the Catholic Church sets aside not only to remember the apostolic leadership of Peter but also to reflect on the authority and guidance that the Papacy continues to offer to the Christian community through the Magisterium. The Gospel passage from Matthew underscores the foundational role that Peter — and his confession of faith — plays in the life and continuity of the Church.
When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 16:13-19
In this passage, Jesus poses a critical question to his disciples, one that goes beyond mere curiosity or doctrinal examination: "Who do you say that I am?" This question is not merely a test of personal belief but a moment that defines the identity and mission of the Church. Peter's response, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God," is a revelation not from human wisdom but from the Father. This confession becomes the bedrock upon which the Church is established, signifying the crucial role of faith in understanding and proclaiming the nature of Christ.
The declaration of Jesus that Peter is the rock upon which He will build His Church, and the handing over of the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, signify the special mission given to Peter and his successors. This mission encompasses the authority to bind and loose, to set boundaries, and to guide in matters of faith and morals, reflecting the Church's teaching authority or Magisterium.
As we reflect on this feast day, let us consider the personal nature of Jesus's question and the necessity of a personal response. It is a reminder that faith is not an abstract concept but a personal commitment to Jesus as the Son of God. There must be a continuous call for renewal of faith — a challenge that begins with the Successor of Peter but extends to all members of the Church. This renewal is not a once-in-a-lifetime event but a constant, ongoing process of deepening our understanding and commitment to Jesus Christ.
Today’s feast, therefore, commemorates not just the historical figure of Peter but also the living tradition of the Papal office that seeks to preserve and interpret the teachings of Christ for the contemporary world. It is a celebration of the unity and continuity within the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit through the successors of Peter.
May we trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the teaching authority of the Church, as we seek to live out our faith in a complex and changing world.