La fiesta de hoy, atestiguada ya a mediados del siglo IV (en la Depositio martyrum), tiene sus raíces en la conmemoración de los parientes y amigos muertos (Parentalia), celebrada en Roma entre el 13 y el 22 de febrero. En esta conmemoración, se dejaba vacía una silla (cátedra) para personas fallecidas en particular. Dado que se desconocía la fecha real de la muerte de San Pedro, se conmemoró el 22 de febrero, celebrando finalmente su toma de responsabilidad pastoral de la Iglesia de Roma
In baptism we are called to mirror and image (2) the mercy and forgiveness the Lord has won for us (Ps). As David would not harm Saul, his enemy (1), so we are challenged to love and pardon those who wrong us (3).
1 Sm 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23 Ps 103:1-4, 8, 10, 12-13 1 Cor 15:45-49 Lk 6:27-38
Gregory of Narek (c. 950-1003/1011) was an Armenian mystical and lyrical poet, abbot, and theologian. He is venerated as a saint in the Armenian Apostolic and Catholic Churches and was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Francis in 2015 and added to the General Roman Calendar in 2021 as an Optional Memorial. He is best known for his Book of Lamentations, a major work of mystical literature.
The fruit of our speech and actions will wither and die (1, Ps) unless we first recognize the plank in our own eye (3). By humbly admitting our own sins, we can more fruitfully persevere in the work of the Lord (2).
Sir 27:4-7 Ps 92:2-3, 13-16 1 Cor 15:54-58 Lk 6:39-45