1 Peter 5:1-4 / Matthew 16:13-19
Today's feast of the Chair of St. Peter is a profound celebration that has three intertwined dimensions - decision; revelation; appointment.
Firstly, there is the question of decision. Jesus asked His disciples this point-blank question: Who do you say I am?
After following Him for a time, they had to come to a decision about who He is. They cannot borrow answers from what others think or say He is; they have to decide who He is.
Then comes a revelation from Peter that Jesus is the "Christ, the Son of the living God". Jesus confirmed that it was indeed a revelation from God and not a logical deduction by Peter.
And finally comes an appointment - Jesus appointed Peter to be the rock on which He will build the Church.
From then on to this present age, the Church has traced her origins and her authority and her apostolic succession to this divine appointment of St. Peter to Pope Francis.
So today we offer special prayers for Pope Francis and pledge our obedience and union with him. At the same time, the Church in Singapore also rejoices and give thanks to God for Archbishop William Goh as he celebrates his episcopal ordination anniversary today.
Let us unite ourselves in prayer for him and for the Church in Singapore and also for the universal Church throughout the world.
Let us march confidently forward in faith and love to fulfill the mission that God has entrusted to us.
Let us also put our hope in Jesus and remember His words to Peter: The gates of the underworld can never hold out against the Church.