A WORD FOR TODAY 22 FEB 2019

A WORD FOR TODAY

Today we celebrate the feast of the Chair of saint Peter. It is a feast that shows how Christ bestowed His authority unto Peter and his successors. All the Popes that have come after Peter operated under this authority and utilised it in shepherding the flock of Christ placed under their charge.

Before this power was bestowed on Peter, he has made a confession of faith through the grace of the Holy Spirit of who Christ is. This made Jesus to give Him the 'power of the keys' with which to govern the Church, with the promise that the gates of hades shall never prevail against it.

It is under this power and authority that the Church operates. Christ entrusted this authority to the Church through the ministry of the apostles and this power is still manifest in the church and in the lives of the popes who are the successors of saint Peter.

We have all been called to become leaders like Christ. He lead by example and taught His disciples the way that leads to life. If we intend to assume a leadership position in the Church, we must lead by example so that when the Lord returns He will find us worthy to be with Him in heaven.

A good leader whether at home or in the society must be ready and willing as saint Peter tells us in the first reading to tend God's flock with care without grudges, not for material gain, but always by showing good examples to those who look up to you.

The work of shepherding God's flock involves discipline both on the side of the shepherd and on the side of the flock. The Shepherd will lead the flock by example and the flock will obey Christ by doing what the Shepherd teaches.

The Church as a mother has been given the power to take care of her children by teaching and discipline and we must strive to listen to what the Church teaches, to act on it and lead others under our care to do the same. In this way we will not be fighting the Church, but we will be working with the Church to make the world a better place.

Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you do your work and do have a wonderful day. May your loyalty to Christ through His Church and her ministers continue to blossom without hitches. Amen. And May the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

*Meditation:* 1 Peter 5:1-4/Psalm 23:1-6/Matthew 16:13-19

*Watch-Word:* You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church!

If you love Jesus, you will love the Church and when you obey the teachings of the Church, you obey Christ who gave the Church the authority to operate in His name.#Be a good shepherd, be a good flock