February 22
Chair of St. Peter
St. Peter was the prince of the apostles. He was personally chosen by Jesus to be his rock, his successor on earth, the leader of his church.
Peter was commissioned to preach the Gospel along with the other disciples after Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to heaven. At first, Peter preached in the eastern cities of Antioch and Jerusalem but he moved on to Rome which was the center of the world at the time.
Peter fervently told the people about our Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ; how he died for our sins through crucifixion and then rose from the dead on the third day. As you might imagine, many people feared Peter because of his radical teachings; others thought he was crazy and a heretic. Of course, the powers of Rome were against anything that would fan the flames of Christianity.
As Christ’s successor on earth, Peter became the first Pope, and his Chair represents this sacred and holy position. There has always been a Pope, known as the Bishop of Rome, ever since Peter. The church has never been without a Pope. Each one sits in the Chair of Peter; this Chair goes far beyond the throne of a king. The throne of a king is for an earthly king but the Chair of St. Peter is for the successor of the King of Kings.
Peter was eventually martyred for his ministry and preaching. He was crucified upside down because he did not believe he was not worthy to be killed in the same manner as our Lord.
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