Homily for the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter

Today's Feast of the Chair of St. Peter does not refer to a piece of furniture but instead recognizes the authority that Jesus bestowed upon St. Peter and his successors. This authority is not St. Peter's own; rather, it is the authority of Christ. The Chair, also known as the Cathedra, symbolizes that authority. The term "Cathedral," which refers to the seat of authority in any diocese, is derived from this concept.

Jesus’ authority was never used for His own purposes but to carry out the will of His Father in heaven. He used His authority to heal the sick, comfort the brokenhearted, and give hope to the oppressed. Similarly, the authority given to St. Peter is less about power and more about responsibility—a responsibility grounded in faith, love, and compassion.

This idea is also reflected in Bernini's sculpture of the Chair of St. Peter, which is located under the dome of the Basilica in Rome. The inscription on it reads, "O Pastor Ecclesiae, tu omnes Christi pascis agnos et oves," meaning, "O pastor of the Church, you feed all of Christ's lambs and sheep."

On this special day, let us pray for our Holy Father and his health, that the Holy Spirit may always guide him as he continues to serve as the Vicar of Christ on earth. May his work, prayer, and life exemplify how to use the gifts we have received to spread God's love and grace to everyone we encounter.