Homily: The Chair of St. Peter
The Chair of St. Peter (1 Peter 5:1-4) “What is My Life Worth?”
This is a favorite reading of mine. I had it included on the prayer card for my first Mass. A priest always gives a holy card to those who attend their first Eucharistic celebration. I had Fr. Bob Reynolds draw a shepherd boy with a sheep draped around his neck. The first artistic depictions of Jesus were not like the images we have today, but they were of a shepherd like I just described.
Obviously, the early Christians, thought this image represented who Christ was. They had no drawings of Christ. There were no photographs, so they had no way of knowing what Jesus looked like. Early believers had to consider how Jesus described himself. As we know, Jesus said that he was the good Shepherd in the Gospel of John.
We know that Jesus used similes and metaphors in his preaching. A simile says something is like something else. Jesus said for example that the Kingdom of God is like a farmer going out to sow. He did not say the Kingdom of God is the farmer going out to sow.
A metaphor is stronger. Jesus says for example that he is the bread of life. He said that he was the light of the world. He also said he was the good shepherd. Therefore, he was depicted as a shepherd in the oldest Christian worship spaces.
What is a good shepherd like? A good shepherd watches over the sheep. The good shepherd makes sure the flock has food to eat. He makes sure the sheep has water to drink. The good shepherd binds up the wounds of his flock. He protects the sheep from predators. But the most admirable quality is that the shepherd will not run away in the face of danger. He will lay down his life for his sheep.
Jesus was like that. He could have run away when his life was threatened. But we read in the Gospel of Matthew in the 16th chapter how he knows he will die when he stands up for truth and justice, yet he is willing to do that. Jesus laid down his life to give us all an example of how we should value the Gospel and apply it to our life.
Reflection Questions:
- In my imagination what does Jesus look like? His physical attributes are never discussed in the Gospel. Why might this be so?
- Some people do not like to be called sheep. Does this offend you? Why?
Dear Parishioners,
Please remember that we are having Mass in the Lee Parish Center this week in the St. Francis Chapel. You can enter the door through the southeast door, the one that has three steps leading to it. That door is off the parking lot.
This move is necessary as we complete the replastering of the church. The workers have now competed the second area. There are three more places where they need to patch. We hope the work can be completed by the end of the week.
This work is being paid by the donations of our parishioners to the Memorial Fund. Thanks to all who have given gifts in honor of deceased loved ones.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark