First Sunday of Lent Year A: Not By Bread Alone

February 22, 2026, marks the First Sunday of Lent, a pivotal day in the liturgical year when the Church begins her solemn journey toward Easter through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. The readings invite us to confront the reality of sin, the power of temptation, and the victory won for us in Christ.

The First Reading from Genesis (2:7-9; 3:1-7) presents the sobering account of humanity's fall. God forms man from the dust, breathes life into him, and places him in a garden of abundance with one command: not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Yet the serpent's cunning words—"You will not die... you will be like God"—entice Eve, and then Adam, to disobey. Their eyes are opened, not to divine wisdom, but to shame and nakedness. This is the origin of sin: the choice to trust our own judgment over God's word, leading to alienation from God, from each other, and from creation itself.

The Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 51) flows naturally from this: "Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned." David's cry after his own grave sin becomes our Lenten prayer—a humble acknowledgment of guilt, a plea for a clean heart, and renewed spirit. It reminds us that no sin is beyond God's mercy when met with contrition.

In the Second Reading from Romans (5:12-19 or shorter form 5:12, 17-19), St. Paul contrasts Adam's disobedience with Christ's obedience. Through one man's sin, death entered the world and spread to all. But through one man's act of righteousness—Christ's obedience unto death—grace abounds all the more. Where sin multiplied, grace superabounds, leading to eternal life. Adam brought condemnation; Jesus brings justification and life.

The Gospel (Matthew 4:1-11) shows Jesus, led by the Spirit into the desert, facing temptation head-on after fasting forty days. The devil attacks at His points of vulnerability: hunger (turn stones to bread), presumption (throw Yourself down from the temple), and worldly power (all kingdoms for a bow). Each time, Jesus responds with Scripture: "One does not live on bread alone..." "You shall not put the Lord to the test..." "The Lord your God shall you worship..." He reverses the failure in Eden—where humanity grasped at divinity—by humbly submitting to the Father's will, even in weakness.

Some may wonder, how can Jesus be tempted? Who can tempt God?  Was the temptation "internal" (like our evil desires pulling us)? The answer is no — Jesus had no sinful nature, so the pull was external (like an offer or test), not an inner compulsion to evil.

As we enter Lent, these readings call us to self-examination. Like Adam and Eve, we face daily temptations to prioritize self over God, comfort over obedience, power over service. Yet unlike them, we have the grace of Christ, who conquered the tempter not by force but by fidelity to the Word.

This Lent, let us imitate Jesus: immerse ourselves in Scripture, fast from what distracts us, pray persistently, and show mercy to others. In the desert of our own struggles, may we reject the serpent's lies and cling to God's truth. The same Spirit who led Jesus leads us—toward repentance, renewal, and ultimately the joy of Easter resurrection.

May Mary, who crushed the serpent's head, accompany us, and may the Chair of Peter (celebrated in some contexts) remind us of the steadfast guidance of the Church amid trials. Let us journey together, trusting that where sin abounded, grace abounds all the more through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Chair of St. Peter: A Symbol of Authority and Unity

The Chair of St. Peter: A Symbol of Authority and Unity

The Chair of St. Peter holds a significant place in the history of the Catholic Church. It is a potent symbol of the apostolic authority entrusted to Saint Peter, the first Pope, by Jesus Christ. This post explores the relic of the Chair of St. Peter, its historical importance, and the foundation of the papacy rooted in Peter's legacy.
The Relic of the Chair of St. Peter

The relic known as the Chair of St. Peter is housed in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. This ancient wooden chair, encased in a magnificent bronze sculpture by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, is displayed in the apse of the basilica. The relic is venerated as the physical representation of St. Peter's leadership and authority over the early Christian Church.

The Chair of St. Peter is celebrated annually on February 22, a feast day dedicated to the symbolic foundation of the papacy. This day, known as the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, honors the role of St. Peter and his successors in shepherding the faithful and maintaining the unity of the Church.
The History of the Papacy

The history of the papacy begins with St. Peter, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. Peter, originally named Simon, was a fisherman from Galilee who became a devoted follower of Jesus. According to the New Testament, Jesus bestowed upon Peter a unique role, saying, "You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18). This passage is foundational to the Catholic belief in the primacy of Peter and the papal office.

Peter's role as the leader of the apostles and the early Christian community is well-documented in the Acts of the Apostles and other historical texts. He is believed to have traveled to Rome, where he served as the first bishop and ultimately faced martyrdom under Emperor Nero around AD 64. Peter's martyrdom and his burial site in Rome solidified the city's importance as the center of the Catholic Church.

The Development of the Papal Office

Following Peter's death, his successors continued to lead the Christian community in Rome, gradually developing the role and authority of the papacy. The early popes, known as bishops of Rome, played a crucial role in preserving apostolic teachings and addressing theological disputes. The papacy's influence grew as the Church expanded, and by the time of Pope Gregory the Great (590-604), the pope had established himself as a spiritual leader and temporal ruler.

The Middle Ages saw the papacy's authority extend beyond religious matters, as popes wielded significant political power and influenced the course of European history. The investiture controversy, the Avignon Papacy, and the Great Schism were key events that shaped the papal office and the Church's role in medieval society.
The Modern Papacy

The modern papacy continues to be a central institution in the Catholic Church, guiding millions of faithful around the world. The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) brought significant reforms, emphasizing the pope's role as a servant leader and promoting greater collegiality among bishops.

Pope Francis, the current successor of St. Peter, has continued this legacy, emphasizing themes of mercy, social justice, and environmental stewardship. The papacy remains a symbol of unity and continuity, rooted in the apostolic foundation laid by St. Peter.
Conclusion

The Chair of St. Peter and the history of the papacy highlight the enduring significance of apostolic succession and the Church's mission to guide and shepherd its followers. As we reflect on the legacy of St. Peter and his successors, we are reminded of the profound impact of their leadership and the timeless values they uphold.

The Chair of Peter

Today, February 22nd is the Feast of the Chair of Peter.  We are not literally celebrating a piece of furniture.  The chair in this case means the office or authority of Peter the first Pope.  The feast was originally on January 18 to commemorate when Peter celebrated liturgy with the people of the see of Rome for the first time (Martyrologium Hieronymianum).

The photo on the left is the actual chair which Peter used to preside over liturgies and from which he exercised his teaching authority.   Alexander VII had it encased in bronze in order to preserve it.  It is supported by statues of four great doctors of the Church: Ambrose, Augustine, Athanasius, Chrysostom.

This chair can be traced to Peter and its authenticity can be confirmed by documentation and other evidence.  The chair had gone through minor changes in order to maintain it and ornate it a bit.

This is how the chair looks without the bronze encasement.

This feast day is important in the Church because it is a reminder of the authority and primacy Peter had and which has been passed on via apostolic succession in the Papacy.  The chair is a symbol of the Petrine ministry.  While Popes no longer use it in order to preserve it as an artifact of history and as a relic, the chair is displayed in great glory in the Basilica of St. Peter as a reminder of the authority of the Papacy.  

Papacy

Protestants and Eastern Orthodox Christians often have issue with the Papacy.  The Orthodox Christians feel that the Pope is a regular bishop and does not have any unique authority over the entire Church.  Protestants feel the Pope is unnecessary and some even go as far as claiming that he is the anti-Christ.  These charges are far from the truth.  The Papacy is not something the Catholic Church invented.  It was Jesus' idea.  

Jesus in Matthew 16:17-19 says:

"Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will beloosed in heaven.”

The town of Bania where Jesus told Peter that he is the Rock

The Rock - No not the WWE Wrestler!

Here Jesus changes Simon's name to 'Peter,' or "rock."  This is significant because in Scripture the rock image is always used to represent the Lord (Psalm 18:31)  

The changing of one's name shows a promotion of status.  For example Abram becomes Abraham (Genesis 17:5). Jesus did this to show that Peter was to be His representative or vicar on Earth.  This is why the Pope is the "Vicar of Christ."  

He does not replace Jesus as if Jesus resigned or was a failure, rather, he stands in for Jesus as the visible head of the Church and chief shepherd.  In Matt. 17:24-25 tax collectors approach Peter asking him if Jesus pays taxes.  Peter here is demonstrated as the representative of Christ, or the Vicar of Christ.  

Some claim that the Greek word "petra" means pebble and not rock; however, the New Testament was written in Koine Greek and the word "petra" and "petros" means simply 'rock.'  All scholars agree with this.  Had Jesus wanted to call Simon "small rock or pebble," the appropriate word would have been "lithos."  To further give more evidence to what Jesus actually meant, we must remember that Jesus did not speak Greek.  He spoke Aramaic.  The word Jesus actually used in his native tongue was, "Kepha" which means 'rock.'   Peter is the rock upon which Christ built His Holy Catholic Church.  To my knoweldge, there exists no Bible - with the exception of the Watchtower that alters texts - that states, "You are Peter and on this small stone/pebble I will build my Church."  This is a clear indication that the use of the word "rock" was intentional.   

The Keys

Keys are an important tool in human society. They can lock and unlock things.  Keys are also a sign of possession or ownership.  If I have the keys to a house, car, motorcycle or bank vault; I control them - I own them.  As long as I hold the keys and no one else does, I have absolute authority.  Jesus gives Peter the keys of the kingdom of Heaven, what does this mean?  Is Jesus going on vacation and is giving the keys to his place to a mortal?  No, not at all.  

Jesus as a descendant of King David is imitating the gesture of King Hezekiah in Isaiah 22:20-22.  Hezekiah gives the keys to the kingdom of the House of David to his servant Eliakim.  In the Jewish biblical tradition, this gesture grants royal dynastic authority and shows succession as the leader or prime minister of the House of David.  By giving Peter the keys to His kingdom, Christ is giving Peter the authority to represent Him and the authority to change things or leave them as is.  The key is also referred to in Revelations 3:7.  This is further evidence that Jesus was in fact doing the same as Hezekiah.  

The Primacy of Peter

While Peter was indeed an Apostles just like the other 11, he still had a unique role.  In the New Testament, Peter is mentioned by himself 155 times as opposed to the other Apostles who are mentioned together 130 times.  Peter is mentioned first in the New Testament (Matt. 10:2; Mark 1:36; 3:16; Luke 6:14-16; Acts 2:37; 5:29).  Coincidence?  Not at all.  It is human custom to name the most important person in a group first.  This custom is still used today in the 21st century.  We will always announce a President, Queen or King, Principal, or University President first before others.  

Peter was the only Apostle invited by Jesus to "walk on water," literally (Matt. 14:28-29)  This shows that Jesus had a particular plan for Him in mind and was preparing him by giving him a lesson on what it means to be faithful even when one is surrounded by turbulent waters and wind.  

As the leader of the Church, Peter and his successors must be strong in faith even if it means contradicting the world.  The world would say not to walk on water because you will sink and drown; however, if God says to do it, even if it makes no sense, we have to do it!  

In John 21:15-17, Jesus specifically commands Peter to feed his sheep and lambs.  He asks Peter if he loves Him three times and then commands three times to feed his sheep and lambs.  This was a foreshadowing of the three times Peter would deny Him (John 18:15-18)  This also shows that no matter how weak Peter was, this did not take away from his authority or validity as Pope.  Despite being called "Holy Father," the Pope is still a sinner and subject to personal failings.  Nevertheless, his office remains firm and valid despite the failings of the man holding it.  

Peter was also a direct target of Satan.  In Luke 22:31-32  Jesus tells Peter that Satan wanted to sift him up like wheat.  This shows that Satan was aware of the importance of Peter and wanted to strike at him directly.  The evidence from Scripture alone is overwhelming in regards to the primacy of St. Peter.  

The Early Christians had this to say:

"The blessed Peter, the chosen, the preeminent, the first among the disciples, for whom alone with himself the Savior paid the tribute, quickly gasped and understood their meaning. And what does he say? ‘Behold, we have left all and have followed you’. - Clement of Alexandria 

"For though you think that heaven is still shut up, remember that the Lord left the keys of it to Peter here, and through him to the Church, which keys everyone will carry with him if he has been questioned and made a confession of faith" - Tertullian

"Be it known to you, my lord, that Simon [Peter], who, for the sake of the true faith, and the most sure foundation of his doctrine, was set apart to be the foundation of the Church, and for this end was by Jesus himself, with his truthful mouth, named Peter, the first fruits of our Lord, the first of the apostles; to whom first the Father revealed the Son; whom the Christ, with good reason, blessed; the called, and elect" - The Letter of Clement to James

"Be it known to you, my lord, that Simon Peter, who, for the sake of the true faith, and the most sure foundation of his doctrine, was set apart to be the foundation of the Church, and for this end was by Jesus himself, with his truthful mouth, named Peter" - The Letter of Clement to James

It is obvious that Peter had a significant role as Pope in the first century up to his death whereupon St. Linus took over the Papacy.  No academic or historian denies this historical truth.  Recently on Facebook I had an interesting discussion regarding the Papacy.  The rhetoric posted on the group obviously stems from the Anti-Catholicism during the post-Reformation era.  This rhetoric is frowned upon by academia and is just based on prejudice and Protestant eisegesis.

The Eastern Orthodox Church has issue with the Papacy mainly because of authority. This is sad indeed because we are not in the Church to obtain status or power.  Yes the Pope is a bishop just like the bishop of New York, Boston, Puerto Rico, Madrid or Los Angeles; however, he has a unique role as the successor of Peter.  The Pope is the leader of the Church and keeps the Church united.  

There is no valid reason based on Scripture, Tradition and History for anyone to not accept the authority of the Papacy as it is defined or the primacy of St. Peter.

Let us pray for the Pope always:

O God, the Shepherd and Ruler of all Your faithful people, mercifully look upon Your servant [name of Pope], whom You have chosen as the chief Shepherd to preside over Your Church. We beg You to help him edify, both by word and example, those over whom he has charge, that he may reach everlasting life together with the flock entrusted to him. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.