20240222 PRIVILEGES AND RESPONSIBLITIES THAT COME WITH OFFICE
22 February 2024, Thursday, St Peter’s Chair
First reading | 1 Peter 5:1-4 © |
Watch over the flock, not simply as a duty but gladly
Now I have something to tell your elders: I am an elder myself, and a witness to the sufferings of Christ, and with you I have a share in the glory that is to be revealed. Be the shepherds of the flock of God that is entrusted to you: watch over it, not simply as a duty but gladly, because God wants it; not for sordid money, but because you are eager to do it. Never be a dictator over any group that is put in your charge, but be an example that the whole flock can follow. When the chief shepherd appears, you will be given the crown of unfading glory.
Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 22(23) © |
The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.
The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me,
to revive my drooping spirit.
The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me along the right path;
he is true to his name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness
no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff;
with these you give me comfort.
The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.
You have prepared a banquet for me
in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
my cup is overflowing.
The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.
Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell
for ever and ever.
The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.
Gospel Acclamation | Mt16:18 |
Glory and praise to you, O Christ!
You are Peter,
and on this rock I will build my Church.
And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it.
Glory and praise to you, O Christ!
Gospel |
Matthew 16:13-19 © |
You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’
PRIVILEGES AND RESPONSIBLITIES THAT COME WITH OFFICE
SCRIPTURE READINGS: [1 Peter 5:1-4; Psalm 23:1-6; Matthew 16:13-19]
To be chosen to be a shepherd after the heart of Christ is a great privilege. To be chosen as a successor of the apostle is a greater privilege. To be chosen as the Vicar of Christ is the greatest privilege. But privileges come with responsibilities. Many people seek privileges but they forget that privileges are given to them for not themselves but in order that we can fulfil our weightier responsibilities for the greater good of the community. One must never think that the privileges are given to them but rather for the office they hold. The moment they relinquish their office, they should also voluntarily and happily give up their privileges and not continue to demand them as these are no longer necessary for them to serve the people.
Today, we celebrate the Chair of Peter. This feast reminds us of the position of Peter and the successors of his office and responsibility. Peter was chosen to be the vicar of Christ, for the Lord said to him, “You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.” Indeed, Peter and his successors have a grave responsibility of safeguarding the Church and ensuring that they bring people to heaven. They have been given the authority to teach infallibly and to guide the Church. Indeed, Jesus told Peter after his confession, “Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven.” Peter and his successors have been given the authority to govern the Church.
Yet, at the same time, Peter, including his successors, are human beings. They, too, can be weak and ignorant at times. In the case of Peter, even though he got the answer right when the Lord asked the apostles, “But who do you say that I am?”, and after Jesus had affirmed him for being blessed to receive this divine revelation and entrusting him with the authority to govern His church, Peter could not accept that his master had to “undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” (Mt 16:21) For this he was reprimanded by the Lord who said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” (Mt 16:23) Of course Jesus was aware that the apostles would be weak at times and that even Peter would betray Him. However, He assured him, “Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Lk 22:30f)
Consequently, today, as we celebrate the Chair of Peter and the pastoral authority of Pope Francis, we must remember to pray for him. We are living in a very complex world which is very different from that in the last century. Catholicism used to be very strong and firm and clear in its doctrines, but today, with modernism, such doctrines are being challenged. Leadership in the Church then could rely on the obedience of their members. But today, it is extremely challenging and daunting to be a bishop, much less a pope in our very fragmented and diverse world with changing values with respect to the culture of life, marriage and family, meaning and purpose, truth and integrity. We can imagine how the Pope and the successors of the apostles, the bishops, have to struggle in the work of discernment to see how the Holy Spirit is working in our lives, in responding to new ideas, demands and lifestyles. More than ever, the Pope and his bishops need the fervent prayers of the faithful.
Nevertheless, as leaders of the Church, regardless whether we are lay, priests, religious, bishops or the Pope, being a shepherd after the heart of our Lord entails sufferings. One who aspires to such a lofty office must be ready to sacrifice one’s life for the greater good of the Church, for Christ and His people. Being shepherds after the heart of Christ mean having to share in the sufferings of Christ as St Peter in the first reading tells us. “I have something to tell your elders: I am an elder myself, and a witness to the sufferings of Christ.” No one must be deceived or have any delusions thinking that Christian leadership is without the cross. We will always be misunderstood or be blamed for anything that goes wrong. We will be criticized for standing up to the truth and for being true to our conscience. We will also suffer guilt when we succumb to the popular opinions of the world so that we are acceptable, not by God, but by the people. Whichever way, leaders have to suffer for their decisions, their theological and doctrinal positions, and for their fidelity to Christ and the gospel.
All the same, leaders must always remember that their suffering is not in vain. It is for “the glory that is to be revealed.” Christian leaders must not be short-sighted and work for immediate goals and achievements; or seek cheap popularity and fame. We must also consider our ministry and our work in the light of the future glory that is to be revealed to us. We are working for eternal life. For this reason, we must set our sights on eternity. In view of the glory promised to us, like all the saints and martyrs before us, we must remain focused in our ministry and mission. In our sufferings, we must consider the good that our sacrifices can bring for the future of our fellowmen. Again, we must remember that privileges come with responsibility. We are called “Your Holiness, your Eminence, your Grace, your Lordship, Father or Reverend” not so much as an honour but to remind us how Christian leaders must live their lives in such a way that reflect the glory of Christ.
Christian Leadership, to be effective, must be carried out with a sense of responsibility. St Peter reminds us, “Be the shepherds of the flock of God that is entrusted to you: watch over it.” This exhortation applies not only to religious leaders but anyone who assumes authority at home, in the office or in the community. So long as we are in a position of authority, we are entrusted with the flock of God. We are called to be shepherds of God’s flock. This flock is not ours. The children entrusted to us are not ours. The students under our charge are not ours. We are servants of God who have been given the authority to look after His flock. We must therefore “watch over it”, that is, to guard, protect, nurture and care for those entrusted to us. We must set an example to those under our care. We do not impose our authority on others but always in dialogue and consultation as St Peter encourages us, “Never be a dictator over any group that is put in your charge, but be an example that the whole flock can follow.”
Christian leadership, because it is a privilege, must be assumed with full freedom. Indeed, St Peter reminds us to be shepherds “not simply as a duty but gladly, because God wants it; not for sordid money, but because you are eager to do it.” We must not serve with selfish motives, neither for power, wealth, glory or status. Often, we hear of reluctant leadership. If it means that we never seek leadership out of humility and unworthiness, this is something noble. But once we hear the call of God, we are called to respond with conviction and in full freedom. Otherwise, it will impede our ministry if we take upon the office as a chore and a burden. Of course, this happens, especially when we have to bear the difficulties and suffering of being leaders – the loneliness, frustrations, helplessness, being misunderstood and unappreciated for our sacrifices.
Once again, when such thoughts come to our mind, let us always remember that we do it for the love of Jesus. We are not doing it for ourselves or even just for our people but for the glory of God and love of our Lord. In this way, St Peter consoles us that “when the chief shepherd appears, you will be given the crown of unfading glory.” Indeed, in our struggles and tiredness in looking after the flock of Christ, in our loneliness, leaders must always turn to the Lord, like the psalmist who says, “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit. He guides me along the right path; he is true to his name.”
Written by His Eminence, Cardinal William SC Goh, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore © All Rights Reserved.
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