Pope Francis has many titles. But the one that many revere the most is “servant of the servants of God”!
Now that’s a splendid title for the highest honor on earth.
The head of the Catholic Church is to serve all, even serve all the other servants. And Peter seems to get that in his letter today when he urges the fellow presbyters to, “be examples to the flock.”
And then in prophetic and amazing language, Jesus tells Peter before all that he would build his church upon him, the rock.
Who would suspect that Peter, just four verses following today’s passage in the Gospel, would hear Jesus reprimand him with these words —
“Get behind me, Satan!”
But today we don’t hear those words, because we are celebrating the chair of St. Peter, which represent the spot from which the pontiff — as supreme teacher of the church — teaches, preaches, and is an example of the church.
This day is solemn. This day is about leadership. This day is even potentially quite pompous. But most of all, this day is about following and teaching others to follow the Lord, the Christ, the Son of the living God.
