Walk in the Spirit February 2020

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Saturday 22nd February 2020 Chair of St.Peter, The Apostle
1 Peter:5/1-4
Psalm:22/1-6
(23/1-6)
Matthew:16/13-19
Gospel Proclamation
Now when Jesus came into the
district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked
his disciples, “Who do people say the
Son of Man is?” “Some say John the
Baptist,” they answered. “Others say
Elijah, while others say Jeremiah or
some other prophet.” “What about
you?” he asked them. “Who do you
say I am?” Simon Peter answered,
“You are the Messiah, the Son of the
living God.” “Good for you, Simon
son of John!” answered Jesus. “For
this truth did not come to you from
any human being, but it was given to
you directly by my Father in heaven.
And so, I tell you, Peter: you are a
rock, and on this rock foundation I will
build my church, and not even death
will ever be able to overcome it. I will
give you the keys of the Kingdom of
heaven; what you prohibit on earth
will be prohibited in heaven, and what
you permit on earth will be permitted
in heaven.”
Gaze at Jesus’ Sonship
When asked, Peter the Apostle distinguishes
the identity of Jesus as Messiah.
It is in the prophetic mission of God,
that Jesus is identified and revealed to the
world as the promised deliverer. In that
mission, Peter was unique because he
was open to the promptings of the Holy
Spirit. In this instance too Peter allows
the Holy Spirit to guide him to identify
the true nature of Jesus as Messiah.
Thus, Jesus becomes confident that He
is entrusting the leadership of the Church
to Peter who processed the gifts of the
"Abba Father! Abba Mother!"
Holy Spirit, which is a prerequisite in an
Evangelical Church.
My sonship (1 Peter 5: 1-4)
I, who am an elder myself, appeal
to the church elders among you. I am a
witness of Christ's sufferings, and I will
share in the glory that will be revealed. I
appeal to you to be shepherds of the flock
that God gave you and to take care of it
willingly, as God wants you to, and not
unwillingly. Do your work, not for mere
pay, but from a real desire to serve. Do
not try to rule over those who have been
put in your care, but be examples to the
flock. And when the Chief Shepherd
appears, you will receive the glorious
crown which will never lose its brightness.
In the same way you younger people
must submit to your elders. And all of
you must put on the apron of humility, to
serve one another; for the scripture says,
“God resists the proud, but shows favour
to the humble.”
Prayerful Awareness
The church must identify leaders
who are led by the Holy Spirit who will
have the missionary zeal to carry out the
responsibility it is entrusted with, which
is to uplift the society from its bondages.
The church must hear the cry from the
world that it needs Jesus.
Therefore, the first reading clearly
stipulate that Church leaders cannot
stagnate. They should give their life to
God in the same way Jesus did.
Therefore, let us Pray
Let us begin our prayer by reading
Psalm 23 once again meditatively. Dear
Holy Spirit our guide and our counselor,
we intercede with You today for our
Church leaders, that they may be instruments
of Christ to lead God’s flock to the
greener pastures that God Himself has
prepared for them through Christ.
We praise and thank God for giving
us Pope Francis with his missionary zeal.