Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Saturday of the 6th week in Ordinary Time, February 22, 2025, Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. 1 Peter 5: 1-4; Rs psalm 23: 1-3a.3b-4.5.6; Matthew 16: 13-19 ONE FOR ALL, ALL FOR ONE Our meditation today has the theme: One For All, AllFor One. On a sunny Sunday noon, the temperature at St. Peter's Square in theVatican was around 26 degrees. For most people, the weather was hot. Everyonewas sweating. However, they still enthusiastically crowded the field to prayAngelus with Pope Francis and listen to his sermon which lasted only 5-10minutes. As soon as the Holy Father appeared far above thebalcony window of the Vatican apartment, and displayed on an electronic screenon the side of the square, everyone applauded. From the crowd were heard anumber of shouts such as "Viva Papa", or "Long liveFrancis". There is one quite unique voice that sounds quite loud is:"One for All, All for One." Understandably, the fact that there was abig crowd with Pope Francis, people certainly felt it was fitting to have sucha unique statement. In a simple understanding, we can say that PopeFrancis is one person for all members of the Catholic Church worldwide.Likewise, everyone in the Catholic Church unites itself under one head, namely PopeFrancis. In deeper reflection, we need to place our conviction of unity andtogetherness in the light of Scripture. It is said that the Lord Jesus wants usto be one as He and the Father are one. All that is gathered in the name ofJesus Christ is one Spirit, so that everyone and all is baptized into one body. So as part of the penacle of our faith is that weaccept and become part of communion with God and with fellow believers. Godprovides practical instruments to make us one, and in this world He makes thePope the central sign of our communion. Jesus first established that symbol ofunity and communion by making Peter, His first apostle, as the rock, andentrusted with the task of caring for and maintaining communion. What the Popethinks and does, is at the command of God. On this day, the feast of the Chair of St. Peter, wepray for the Holy Father and for the unity of our Church as Catholic, that meansthe universality of all fallowers of Christ. In prayers and especially in theEucharist, at the time of receiving the Holy Communion, we should strengthenthe spirit of communion in faith and love. We make a real communion throughrespect, love and obedience to the Holy Father. Together and united among usand with the Pope, we are united to Christ as our head. We are all children ofthe Father. Let us pray. In the name of the Father... O Lord, fill in theperson of our Holy Father Pope Francis with all wisdom, and strengthen our unitywith him. Our Father who art in heaven ... In the name of the Father...