Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, Apostle. This day does not refer to a piece of furniture but recognizes the authority Jesus bestowed upon St. Peter and his successors. This authority is not St. Peter's own but rather the authority of Christ. The Chair, also known as the Cathedra, is a symbol of that authority. The term Cathedral, which refers to the seat of authority in any diocese, is derived from this.
Jesus' authority was never used for His own purposes but rather to carry out the will of His Father in heaven. He used His authority to heal the sick, comfort the brokenhearted, and give hope to the oppressed. In the same way, the authority He bestowed upon St. Peter was less about power and more about responsibility. It was a responsibility of faith, love, and compassion.
This is also reflected in Bernini's sculpture of the Chair of St. Peter under the dome of the Basilica in Rome. The inscription on it reads, "O Pastor Ecclesiae, tu omnes Christi pascis agnos et oves," which means, "O pastor of the Church, you feed all Christ's lambs and sheep."
On this special day, let us pray for our Holy Father, that the Holy Spirit may guide him always as he continues to act as the Vicar of Christ on earth. May his work, prayer, and life be an example of how to use the gifts we have received to spread God's love and grace to all those we encounter.
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