1 Pt 5:1-4; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 16:13-19
Today the Church celebrates the feast of the Chair of Peter the apostle. The chair has become a symbol of a person’s authority or office. In Church’s tradition, Peter is recognized as the first leader of the Christian community after Christ. His name comes first in the list of the twelve apostles (Mt 10:2; Mk 3:16), and it was to him that the Lord Jesus entrusted the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Mt 16:16) and the responsibility of nourishing the flock (Jn 21:15). Today, the chair of Peter refers to the seat of the power of the pope as leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
The first reading today is carefully chosen to remind us of the primary meaning and intention of authority and office in the Church. All authority in the Church is from God and it is given for the service of the Christian community. The person who receives an office in the Church is a servant, not a lord. He or she has to use authority to serve the good of others. All leaders in the Church, both the clergy and the lay, must take seriously the admonition from the first book of Peter: “Shepherd the flock which God has entrusted to you, guarding it not out of obligation but willingly for God’s sake; not as one looking for a reward but with a generous heart; do not lord it over those in your care, rather be an example to your flock” (5:2-3). In serving, Church leaders are to bring the image and presence of Christ, the Good Shepherd, to all (Ps 23:1-6).
An article in a poster attracted my attention. The author, Anna Sandberg, explains the difference between a job and a ministry in the Church:
Some people have a job in the Church.
Others invite themselves in a ministry.
What’s the difference?
If you are doing it just because no one else will, it’s a job.
If you are doing it to serve the Lord, it’s a ministry.
If you quit because somebody criticized you, it’s a job.
If you keep on serving, it’s a ministry.
If you’ll do it as long as it does not interfere with your other activities, it’s a job.
If you are committed to staying with it even if it means letting go of other things, it’s a ministry.
It’s hard to get excited about a job.
It’s almost impossible not to be excited about a ministry.
An average Church is filled with people doing jobs.
A great and growing Church is filled with people involved in ministry.
Where do we fit in?
What about us?
Today the Church celebrates the feast of the Chair of Peter the apostle. The chair has become a symbol of a person’s authority or office. In Church’s tradition, Peter is recognized as the first leader of the Christian community after Christ. His name comes first in the list of the twelve apostles (Mt 10:2; Mk 3:16), and it was to him that the Lord Jesus entrusted the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Mt 16:16) and the responsibility of nourishing the flock (Jn 21:15). Today, the chair of Peter refers to the seat of the power of the pope as leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
The first reading today is carefully chosen to remind us of the primary meaning and intention of authority and office in the Church. All authority in the Church is from God and it is given for the service of the Christian community. The person who receives an office in the Church is a servant, not a lord. He or she has to use authority to serve the good of others. All leaders in the Church, both the clergy and the lay, must take seriously the admonition from the first book of Peter: “Shepherd the flock which God has entrusted to you, guarding it not out of obligation but willingly for God’s sake; not as one looking for a reward but with a generous heart; do not lord it over those in your care, rather be an example to your flock” (5:2-3). In serving, Church leaders are to bring the image and presence of Christ, the Good Shepherd, to all (Ps 23:1-6).
An article in a poster attracted my attention. The author, Anna Sandberg, explains the difference between a job and a ministry in the Church:
Some people have a job in the Church.
Others invite themselves in a ministry.
What’s the difference?
If you are doing it just because no one else will, it’s a job.
If you are doing it to serve the Lord, it’s a ministry.
If you quit because somebody criticized you, it’s a job.
If you keep on serving, it’s a ministry.
If you’ll do it as long as it does not interfere with your other activities, it’s a job.
If you are committed to staying with it even if it means letting go of other things, it’s a ministry.
It’s hard to get excited about a job.
It’s almost impossible not to be excited about a ministry.
An average Church is filled with people doing jobs.
A great and growing Church is filled with people involved in ministry.
Where do we fit in?
What about us?
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