VOICE OF THE LOGOS (6): REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR I

Chairs symbolize authority, power, and governance. Across cultures and civilizations, a chair is not merely a piece of furniture, but a symbol of power, legitimacy, and decision-making. When someone “takes the chair,” it signifies their role as a leader, a judge, or a person entrusted with responsibility. In political, academic, and corporate settings, the chairperson is the one who presides over matters, whose voice carries weight, and whose decisions shape the direction of a community. But what happens when the chair is contested, misunderstood, or even rejected? In today’s world, many people despise authority, challenging leadership in every sphere – government, business, and even the Church. The question then arises: Does the chair define the authority, or does true authority come from a higher source?

The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, which we celebrate today, is one of those misunderstood feasts that some critics wrongly dismiss as a celebration of an actual piece of furniture. However, the significance of this feast is not about wood or marble but about the authority Christ entrusted to Peter and his successors. In ancient Rome, this day was observed to honour the teaching authority of Peter and the continuity of his office in the bishops of Rome. The word “chair” comes from the Latin cathedra, meaning a seat of teaching authority. This is why a bishop’s church is called a cathedral because it is from there that he teaches with authority. The early Christians recognized that Peter’s role as leader of the Church was divinely instituted, and this authority continued in the Bishop of Rome, the Pope, as the successor of Peter.

The symbolism of the chair is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. In Exodus 18:13, we see that Moses “took his seat” (Hebrew: וַיֵּשֶׁב – vayeshev) to judge the people. The seat of Moses was the place of authority, justice, and leadership, showing that his role as the mediator between God and Israel was divinely instituted. This seat of judgement later became a recognized symbol in Jewish tradition, and in Jesus’ time, the Pharisees “sat on Moses’ seat” (Matthew 23:2), meaning that they inherited the responsibility of interpreting and applying the Law. However, while they occupied the chair of Moses, many of them were hypocritical, failing to practice what they preached. Jesus, therefore, condemned the misuse of authority, teaching that true authority is not about position alone, but service, humility, and faithfulness to God’s will.

It is in this light that we understand today’s Gospel (Matthew 16:13-19), where Jesus establishes a new authority, not based on lineage or tradition, but on divine appointment. In Caesarea Philippi, a place known for pagan worship and imperial power, Jesus asks His disciples: “Who do you say that I am?” While others hesitated, Peter boldly professed: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This confession was not merely an opinion but a revelation from the Father, as Jesus affirms: “Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” What follows is one of the most significant moments in the foundation of the Church. Jesus declares: “You are Peter (Πέτρος – Petros), and on this rock (πέτρα – petra), I will build my Church.’ The wordplay in Greek is significant—Petros (a proper name meaning ‘rock’) is closely connected to petra (a solid, foundational rock). This reveals that Peter (Petros) is personally chosen as the visible foundation upon which Christ, the true cornerstone, establishes His Church. While Christ remains the ultimate foundation (cf. 1 Cor 3:11), He confers upon Peter a unique, foundational role in the Church’s leadership, as further affirmed in John 21:15-17 and Luke 22:31-32.” This is reinforced by Jesus’ next words: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.”

The imagery of keys is not random, it is a direct reference to Isaiah 22:22, where Eliakim is given the keys of the House of David, meaning he had full administrative authority in the king’s absence. By giving Peter the keys, Jesus entrusts him with leadership over His Church, with the power to “bind and loose” – a rabbinic term referring to the authority to make binding decisions in doctrine and discipline. Again, this is further confirmed in John 21:15-17, when the resurrected Jesus tells Peter three times: “Feed my sheep.” This act solidifies Peter’s role as the chief shepherd of Christ’s flock, a role that continues through his successors in the papacy.

The connection to Psalm 23 (the Responsorial Psalm) is striking. This psalm proclaims: “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.” The shepherd imagery is one that Jesus Himself adopts in John 10:11, where He declares: “I am the good shepherd.” Peter is entrusted with the earthly mission of Christ’s shepherding role, just as the Pope today, together with the bishops under his authority, continue this mission of guiding, teaching, and protecting the flock of God.

This pastoral responsibility of teaching, feeding and protecting the flock of God is beautifully summarized in today’s First Reading (1 Peter 5:1-4), written by Peter himself. Peter exhorts the elders (bishops) of the Church to “tend the flock of God” not out of obligation or for personal gain, but willingly and eagerly. This reinforces that true authority in the Church is one of service, not domination. The phrase “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades” reminds us that earthly authority is temporary, but the reward for faithful leadership is eternal.

Dear friends in Christ, these readings challenge us to reflect on the nature of authority and leadership in today’s world. Many reject spiritual and moral authority, preferring to “sit on their own chair” rather than submit to God’s established order. The secular world teaches self-rule, individualism, and personal autonomy, but today’s feast reminds us that true leadership is about responsibility, service, and obedience to Christ.

In practical terms, this calls us to recognize legitimate authority, whether in the Church, in families, or in society, as it exists for order, guidance, and the common good, rejecting all authority leads to chaos. It also challenges us to avoid the hypocrisy of the Pharisees; if we hold leadership roles, we must not only teach the right doctrine but live it authentically. Furthermore, we are called to follow the true Shepherd, as many voices in the world claim to offer truth, but only Christ, through His Church, has the divine mandate to teach and guide. As we celebrate the unity of the Church, founded upon the Apostle, we renew our assent to the Magisterium of the Supreme Pontiff, extended both to truths, which are solemnly defined “ex-cathedra”, and to all the acts of the ordinary Magisterium. And so, we pray for the Holy Catholic Church, for the intentions of our Holy Father, Pope Francis in collegiality with all the bishops.  At this time, as he remains hospitalized due to a respiratory tract infection, presenting a complex clinical picture, we entrust him to the healing power of Christ. May the Lord grant him strength, comfort, and full recovery, so he may continue to shepherd the Church with wisdom and love.”

Above all, today’s feast reminds us that the Chair of Peter is not about power, but about responsibility. Just as Moses sat to judge the people, and just as the Pharisees occupied the seat of authority, Christ established a new chair, one that continues to guide the Church through Peter and his successors. The question we must ask ourselves is: Do we recognize the authority Christ has established, or are we trying to build our own “chair” apart from Him?