Friday, February 22, 2008

The Chair

Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle

And Jesus came into the quarters of Cesarea Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men say that the Son of man is? But they said: Some John the Baptist, and other some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets. Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.
Matthew 16:13-19 (Douay-Rheims Bible)

Prayer

Glorious Father, you sent us your Son to establish a living Church on earth. In the ensuing years we have perfected our faith in your most Holy Word. We have been graced with many chosen ones to guide us along the way with those who were seated upon the first Chair of the Church. We pray for the safekeeping of the one who sits upon it, the Pope, who acts in your stead. May our prayers unite with his to bring peace to the world. Amen

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