The Feast of the Chair of St Peter | Thursday 22 February 2024

Today is Thursday the 22nd of February, the feast of the Chair of St Peter, in the first week of Lent.

Steffany Gretzinger sings, ‘There is none like you’. As you begin to pray today, take a moment to pause and think about your image and experience of Jesus…

There is none like You
No one else can touch my heart like You do
I could search for all eternity long
And find there is none like You
There is none like You, Jesus
No one else can touch my heart like You do
I could search for all eternity long
And find there is none like You
Your mercy flows like a river wide
And healing comes from Your hand
Suffering children are safe in Your arms
Oh Lord, there is none like You
There is none like You
No one else can touch my heart like You do
I could search for all eternity long
And find there is none like You
I could search for all eternity long
And find there is none like You




Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 16:13-19

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am? ’Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this Rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’

Jesus says to the disciples “You – who do you say I am?” What is your answer to this question?

“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” … Simon Peter is called “blessed” for his answer to Jesus’ question. In what way has he got it right, do you think? Spend some time reflecting on his words.

Now listen as the passage is read to you once more. What is the word or phrase that most strikes you here? Does that tell you anything?

Finally, can you gather together all the emotions that have been milling around inside you as you contemplate this passage, and turn them into a prayer to God?

You have given all to me
To you, Lord I return it.
Everything is yours
Do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace.
That is enough for me.
Amen.