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Gospel Reflection for Saturday, February 22, 2025
Dear Friend,
«Who do people say the Son of Man is?»
This is the question Jesus asks us today.
He wants to know if we truly understand Him, if we recognize who He really is.
After twenty-one centuries of Christianity, does the world really know Him?
Many things are said about Jesus—countless books have been written, and He has been interpreted in countless ways, just as He was in His own time.
Today, even though we are chronologically farther from His time, we probably know more and have more information about Him than His contemporaries did.
But do we have the same faith and commitment as His disciples?
Having knowledge and historical facts about Jesus is not enough.
Information can be helpful and useful, but faith is something more.
«And you—who do you say that I am?» (Mt 16:15)
Jesus—the One we will never fully know until we see Him face to face…
The One we discover more deeply every time we allow Him to love us more…
The One who can always surprise us, always teach us something new—our Master…
Who is Jesus for you?
We will never fully grasp Him, but we can choose to follow Him.
I hope that we can all say from the heart, as Peter did:
«You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.»
In other words:
«Lord Jesus, you are my life, my brother, my beloved… my Lord. I believe in you, in your words of eternal life.»
That is the meaning of today’s celebration.
The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter is a recognition that Jesus desired to establish a new community, a «new temple,» with Peter as the foundation.
But a chair means nothing if there is no living community.
A beautifully decorated temple means nothing if there are no men and women bringing Jesus to the streets, to everyday life.
Let us pray today for the successor of Peter, Pope Francis, that he may always receive the strength and inspiration of the Holy Spirit as he continues to guide the boat that Christ Himself entrusted to the fisherman from Galilee.
May this feast serve to unite the entire Catholic community and renew our mission to bring Jesus to the whole world, so that He may be known, loved, and served by all.
Your brother in faith,