Peter's Chair

February 22 was chosen to give honor and renew respect for the leadership and teaching authority of the successor of St. Peter because it is believed that this is the date on which Jesus gave Peter the "keys", the commission to carry on his work: Peter had just confessed that Jesus was the Christ the Son of the Living God, and Jesus responded, "And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.  Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (cf. Mt 16:13-19)
While Peter traveled, a chair was kept for him on which he sat and anointed the newly baptized when he was back in Rome.  Hence, today's feast sees the chair as the symbol of the Pope's role as leader, having  the same obligations Jesus placed on Peter.
Today, as the Synod of Bishops, addresses  the scandal of sexual abuse in the Church and seeks to bring closure and healing to its victims, this feast is even more significant: a reminder for us to pray  that the synod accomplish its purpose and that future abuse be prevented. 
As Peter was not "perfect", for even after receiving this commission from the mouth of a trusting Jesus, he denied him three times. Yet he repented and spent his life feeding and leading the early flock. So too, may we as Church, along with our leaders, repent and continue feeding and nourishing one another.
Bro. Rene