1 Peter 5:1-4 / Matthew 16:13-19
The Chair of St. Peter (Latin: Cathedra Petri), also known as the Throne of St. Peter, is a wooden throne, encased in bronze, that is physically in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Essentially it is an elaborate chair.
But there is a profound symbolic meaning in the chair. The chair is described as "a symbol of the special mission of Peter and his Successors to tend Christ’s flock, keeping it united in faith and in charity." (Pope Benedict XVI)
It is a mission entrusted to Peter, as we heard in the gospel, and not just to Peter but also to his successors.
Hence this feast also traces for the present universal Church its Apostolic succession right up to Peter. In that sense, Pope Francis is called the successor of St. Peter, and he inherits the same apostolic authority that was given to St. Peter.
And this authority is to be used for teaching the truth and to serve with humility, as we heard in the 1st reading, and also to keep the Church united as the Body of Christ so as to be a sign of salvation to the world.
But in recent times, many terrible scandals have rocked the Church to its foundations and the Church have sunk deep into crisis with heresies and schisms.
Yet, this feast of the Chair of Peter reminds us that the Church is built on rock and the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it.
We take comfort and consolation that these are the words of Christ Himself, who is the Head of the Church.
May the celebration of this feast also bring about blessings for the Church to strengthen the faith and keep pressing on with the mission of salvation.
We must also keep alive the hope that our prayers will bring about the light of Christ shining through the Church in a darkened world.