Introduction

The liturgy celebrates today not so much that Peter was the bishop of Rome than what his function is. In answer to Peter’s profession of faith, Jesus appoints him the Rock on which the Church is built. As Peter himself knew very well, the shepherd is the model of his flock, dedicated to the service of the people of God.

Opening Prayer

Almighty God,
you have given us the witnessing of the apostles
as the firm rock on which we can rely.
Where Peter is, there is the Church.
But we see today that the bark of Peter is rocked;
we are often like capricious children
unused to our newfound freedom.
Make us use this freedom responsibly
and do not allow us to lose our composure.
Reassure us that you are always with us
and keep us optimistic about the future,
for it is your future
and you are our rock for ever.

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading: 1 P 5:1-4

I now address myself to those elders among you; I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ, hoping to share the Glory that is to be revealed. Shepherd the flock which God has entrusted to you, guarding it not out of obligation but willingly for God's sake; not as one looking for a reward but with a generous heart; do not lord it over those in your care, rather be an example to your flock. Then, when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will be given a crown of unfading glory.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 23:1-6

R.\ The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths for his name's sake.
R.\ The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil; for you are with me;
your rod and your staff--they comfort me.
R.\ The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
R.\ The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD my whole life long.
R.\ The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.

Gospel Reading: Mt 16:13-19

Jesus came to Caesarea Philippi. He asked his disciples, “What do people say of the Son of Man? Who do they say I am?” They said, “For some of them you are John the Baptist, for others Elijah or Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

Jesus asked them, “But you, who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “It is well for you, Simon Barjona, for it is not flesh or blood that has revealed this to you but my Father in heaven.

“And now I say to you: You are Peter (or Rock) and on this rock I will build my Church; and never will the powers of death overcome it.

“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and what you unbind on earth shall be unbound in heaven.”

Commentary

PETER has learned as an elder in the faith through witness to the sufferings of Jesus and others, facing his own martyrdom to be a shepherd, guarding it willingly, generously and serving them all as Jesus, the Good Shepherd taught him by his own forgiveness when he betrayed his Master publicly, scattering the sheep. Jesus questions the disciples on who he truly is-and Peter answers prophet and more, the Son of the living God. Jesus tells him he is blessed because he was given that knowledge by the Father. And he is given another gift: the power to forgive on earth, as Jesus did, as well as hold bound those who do evil, as Jesus also did. The Church and its leaders, like Peter, have known the Good Shepherd's forgiveness of their public betrayals and failures and in turn they go out looking for the lost sheep, bringing them back with forgiveness. It is only the witness and experience of suffering that makes this power of God shared with humans a source of hope and a gift among peoples. Father, teach your Church how to forgive, how to seek out those lost and how to speak the truth to power that is unjust and evil. Make your Church and its leaders servants and martyrs, even if we are slow-learners, like Peter. Amen.

General Intercessions

–          For the Church in our day, that the Holy Spirit may guide it through the present pains of renewal, keep it faithful to the gospel and speak its message in the language of our time, we pray: Lord, remember your Church.

–          For the Pope, Peter’s successor, that he may be our rock of faith and the sign of unity of the Church, we pray: Lord, remember your Church.

–          For our bishops, that they may exercise their authority as a service to building community; for priests and religious, that they may bear witness to what they preach by their way of living the gospel, we pray: Lord, remember your Church.

–          For missionaries, that they may proclaim the gospel as good news for all and help each people and culture to encounter Christ all in their own way, we pray: Lord, remember your Church.

Lord, be with the Church until the end of time, as promised by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer over the Gifts

Accept our prayer and gifts, Lord God,
and guide your Church to your safe port.
Help us to rid ourselves of the dead-weight
of cumbersome, self-made human traditions
and teach us, in a way adapted to our times,
to seek the ageless renewal given us in the gospel
of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord for ever.

Prayer after Communion

Lord our God,
on this feast of your apostle Peter
you have nourished us
with the body and blood of Christ.
We pray you today:
May the unifying force of the eucharist
dispel all unhealthy division in the Church.
May there be no unbridgeable chasms between us
but may legitimate differences of thought
lead to a deepening of our faith.
May all co-exist in peace and unity
as we seek to understand your message better.
We ask you this through Christ, our Lord.

Blessing

Who do we say who Christ is? With Peter we profess that he is the Christ, the Son of the living God. May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Readings: 1 P 5:1-4; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 16:13-19

Opening Prayer

First Reading: 1 P 5:1-4

Gospel Reading: Mt 16:13-19

General Intercessions

Prayer over the Gifts

Prayer after Communion

Blessing

Readings:
1 P 5:1-4; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 16:13-19