Gospel of February 22 2019

First letter of Saint Peter the apostle 5,1-4.
Dear ones, I urge the elders who are among you, as an elder like them, witness of the sufferings of Christ and partaker of the glory that must be manifested:
feed the flock of God entrusted to you, watching over it not necessarily but willingly according to God; not out of vile interest, but in good spirits;
not dominating the people entrusted to you, but making you models of the flock.
And when the supreme shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade.

Salmi 23(22),1-3a.3b-4.5.6.
The Lord is my Shepherd:
I lack nothing.
On grassy pastures it makes me rest
to calm waters it leads me.
Reassures me, guides me on the right path,
for the love of his name.

If I had to walk in a dark valley,
I wouldn't fear any harm, because you are with me.
Your staff is your bond
they give me security.

In front of me you prepare a canteen
under the eyes of my enemies;
sprinkle my head with oil.
My cup overflows.

Happiness and grace will be my companions
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
for very long years.

From the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Matthew 16,13-19.
At that time, having arrived in the region of Cesarèa di Filippo, he asked his disciples: «Who do people say that the Son of man is?».
They replied, "Some John the Baptist, others Elijah, others Jeremiah or some of the prophets."
He said to them, "Who do you say I am?"
Simon Peter replied: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
And Jesus: «Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because neither the flesh nor the blood has revealed it to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
And I say to you: You are Peter and on this stone I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and everything you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and everything you untie on earth will be melted in heaven. "