Catholic Daily Reading + Reflection: 22 February 2021
Monday, February 22, 2021
Weekday of Lent (1)
Office- Psalter Week 1
Vestment: Violent
Today’s Rosary: The Luminous Mystery
THE CHAIR OF ST PETER, AP. (Feast)
OTUKPO: Tomorrow is the 17th Anniversary of the episcopal ordination of Most Revd M. Apochi, 23rd Feb. 2003.
KASTINA ALA: Tomorrow is the 7th Anniversary of the episcopal ordination of Most Revd Peter Iorzuul A., 23RD Feb. 2013.
FIRST READING
I myself am a fellow elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ.
A reading from the first Letter of Saint Peter (1 Peter 5:1-4)
Beloved: I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker in the glory that is to be revealed. Tend the flock of God that is your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd is manifested you will obtain the unfading crown of glory.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 23:1 -3a.3b-4.5.b
R. The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me;
he revives my soul. R.
He guides me along the right path,
for the sake of his name.
Though I should walk in the
valley of the shadow of death,
no evil would I fear, for you are with me.
Your crook and your staff will give me comfort. R.
R. The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
You have prepared a table before me
in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
my cup is overflowing. R.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell
for length of days unending. R.
Alleluia Matthew 16:18
Alleluia You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Alleluia
GOSPEL
“You are Peter, and I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 16:13-19)
At that time: When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
Today we celebrate the ‘Chair of Saint Peter’. The Chair of Saint Peter represents the authority Jesus gave to Peter among the twelve apostles as their leader. Today’s Gospel brings into focus the election of Peter and his successors. When Jesus asked his disciples their perception and the peoples’ perception of him, he received several answers. It was only Simon who answered “you are the Son of the living God.” Instantly, Jesus reminded Simon that his answer was a revelation from God. Nonetheless, he changed his name from Simon to peter, and placed authority and responsibility of the new people of God, the church, on him. It is incontrovertible to argue, as some often do, that peter is not the first Pope. Jesus himself gave him this privilege, because it was revealed by the Father. We should always try to conform to the teachings of the church, for when the Church speaks through her leaders, it is Jesus that speaks. Listen.
THE CHAIR OF ST PETER: Today feast attested as early as the mid- fourth century (in the ‘Depositio martyrum’) has its roots in the commemoration of dead relatives and friends (Parentalia) celebrated in Rome between 13-22 February. At this commemoration, a Chair (Cathedra) was left empty for particular deceased persons. Since the actual date of Peter’s death was unknown, it came to be commemorated on 22 February, eventually celebrating his taking responsibility of the Church of Rome.
Blessing for the New Week
Heavenly Father, I give you thanks from the depth of my heart for giving me this day. It is only by your power that it is possible for me to wake up from sleep. May all glory and honour be to you name forever. Amen.
I offer myself to you, lead me in all I will do. Bless and favour the work of my hands so that I will be fruitful. Give me the grace to seek holiness in all I do. Help me to love my neighbour as myself and to be kind to them always.
Through my actions may the hungry have something to eat, the thirsty have something to drink, the naked have something to wear, the sick and those in prison get the consolation they desire. Amen.
Work hard and put your trust in the Lord for He will see you through. Do not fear when you have God, because He will see you through at all times, be kind to others.
May this new week be a blessed and favourable one for you. Amen.
Personal Devotional for Lent Day 5:
When a lecturer gives you an insight where he will set his exam questions from and you still fail the exams, it simply means that you did not do your homework well. The whole of Matthew chapter 25 is an expo from Jesus to us. Therefore, you have no reason to fail the exam and gain admission into the kingdom of God.
Today, let your actions feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe the naked, give succour and hope to the sick and those in prison.
Let Us Pray
Lord Jesus, I love you, all I have is yours, yours I am and yours I want to be, help me to see you, love you and treat you well in my neighbours. Amen.