Holy Mass with Fr. James Nguru Mukui - 22 February 2025

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22ND 2025. SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C. FEAST OF THE CHAIR OF SAINT PETER THE APOSTLE. FIRST READING I myself am a fellow elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. A reading from the first Letter of Saint Peter (1ST PETER 5: 1 - 4) Beloved: I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker in the glory that is to be revealed. Tend the flock of God that is your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd is manifested you will obtain the unfading crown of glory. The Word of the Lord. RESPONSORIAL PSALM Taken from Psalm 23: 1 - 3a, 3b - 4, 5, 6 (R) 1 And the response is; R/. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me; he revives my soul. R/. He guides me along the right path, for the sake of his name. Though I should walk in the valley of the shadow of death, no evil would I fear, for you are with me. Your crook and your staff will give me comfort. R/. You have prepared a table before me in the sight of my foes. My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing. R/. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell for length of days unending. R/. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Matthew 16: 18 Alleluia You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Alleluia. GOSPEL             “You are Peter, and I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (MATTHEW 16: 13 - 19) At that time: When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” The Gospel of the Lord.