The sacred liturgy in the days following the Second Sunday after Easter keeps before our eyes the image of Christ the Good Shepherd—Pastor bonus—who lays down His life for the sheep. In this light, the Epistle of St. Peter (1 Pet 5:1–4; 5:10–11) and the Gospel of St. Matthew (16:13–19) speak with a harmonious voice: the flock is not abandoned. It is shepherded visibly on earth, yet always under the authority and grace of the Eternal Shepherd.
St. Peter writes not as a distant authority, but as one who has himself been entrusted with a grave and tender charge: “Feed my sheep” (cf. John 21:17). Thus he exhorts the elders—presbyters—to “feed the flock of God which is among you, taking care of it not by constraint, but willingly, according to God” (1 Pet 5:2). There is here no room for domination or vainglory, but rather a pattern of pastoral charity modeled on Christ Himself. St. Augustine reminds us that “pastors who feed themselves and not the sheep are reproved,” for true shepherding consists in pouring oneself out for the salvation of souls (Sermon 46).
Yet St. Peter does not leave shepherds without hope or reward: “when the Prince of Pastors shall appear, you shall receive a never-fading crown of glory” (1 Pet 5:4). The Chief Shepherd—Christ—remains the source and end of all ecclesiastical authority. St. Gregory the Great, reflecting on this passage, notes that the pastor must always remember that “he is a shepherd under the Shepherd,” lest pride corrupt his office (Regula Pastoralis).
This humble yet exalted role of Peter finds its divine institution in the Gospel. At Caesarea Philippi, Our Lord draws forth from the Apostle a confession not born of flesh and blood, but revealed by the Father: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And in response, Christ establishes something enduring and visible: “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church” (Matt 16:18).
The Fathers speak with remarkable unity on this mystery. St. Leo the Great proclaims: “The solidity of that faith which was praised in the prince of the apostles is perpetual… and the care of the universal Church rests upon Peter’s one seat” (Sermon 4). Likewise, St. Cyprian of Carthage teaches that Christ “builds the Church upon one man… that He might manifest unity” (De Unitate Ecclesiae).
The keys given to Peter signify authority—not merely symbolic, but real: the power to bind and loose, exercised for the salvation of souls. Origen interprets this as the stewardship of divine mysteries, entrusted to the Church through Peter, so that heaven itself ratifies what is rightly judged on earth (Commentary on Matthew).
Returning to the Epistle, we hear again the consoling promise: “The God of all grace… after you have suffered a little, will Himself perfect you, and confirm you, and establish you” (1 Pet 5:10). The shepherds and the flock alike are pilgrims under trial, yet sustained by grace. St. Bede the Venerable comments that these sufferings are permitted “that we may be made strong in humility and proved in faith.”
Thus, in this sacred season, the Church contemplates both her visible structure and her invisible life: founded upon Peter, guided by shepherds, yet always vivified by Christ. The Good Shepherd does not leave His flock to wander; He gathers, governs, and sanctifies through those He has appointed.
Let us then pray for the pastors of the Church, that they may shepherd with purity of heart and steadfast courage. And let us, as faithful sheep, heed their guidance insofar as it leads us to Christ, the eternal Shepherd and Bishop of our souls.
To Him be glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Pet 5:11)