Our prayers go out to all those in harm’s way in Texas and Louisiana as a result of Hurricane Harvey whose devastating winds and drenching rains endanger and destroy. Our hearts are heavy at the sight and the plight of so many. May they receive the help and support they need.
In the Opening Prayer in Mass for the End of Storms, we pray “O God, to whose commands all the elements give obedience, we humbly entreat you, that the stilling of fearsome storms may turn a powerful menace into an occasion for us to praise you. Amen.” It is in the midst of storms of many varieties that we must humbly admit how small we are and how dependent we are on God’s love and mercy to weather them. We will praise him by how we deal with them and care for one another. Our Lady of Guadalupe watch over, console and give hope to all affected by Hurricane Harvey
In today’s Gospel Jesus tells Peter with the other apostles present, “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.” In the first reading from Isaiah the Lord declares “I will place the key of the House of David on Eliakim’s shoulder.”
What are keys? One definition is “that which serves to open or explain”. The story is told of a little boy whose family had moved and he was nervous as he entered his new school for the first time. He went to his assigned room but the door was locked so he waited. After a few minutes a woman came and unlocked the door. “You must be the teacher,” he said. “How did you know?” she responded. “Because you have the keys.” Teachers have the keys to forming young people to live lives of integrity. In that sense we are all holders of the keys as others learn from us by how we live our lives and handle the storms of life.
In the Church the holder of the keys is the Pope. He is not the truth personally but he is called to open and explain it. We refer to Popes as the successors of Peter.
The last several weeks we have been reading about Simon who became Peter. This struggling apostle became the first Pope. He may seem an unlikely choice. Peter faltered on the water and Jesus challenged: “you of little faith, why did you doubt?” At the passion of our Lord after declaring he would follow Jesus unto death, Peter denied Jesus three times, weeping upon recognizing his fallen way. Yet it was that struggling, doubting, denying but ultimately owning up Peter who became the one upon whom Christ built his Church. That is a hopeful for of us who doubt on occasion, who deny when confronted with challenge on occasion, who regret on occasion. When we too own up to our falls, Jesus always invites us to rise up and follow him.
When the core question was presented to Peter, “who do you say that I am,” Peter probably surprising himself rose above his humanness and was able to speak with clarity: “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” He answered well.
There are two gospel passages that establish that Jesus gave Peter primacy over the whole Church.. The first is today’s reading from Matthew. Written decades after the death of Peter, this inspired scripture records clearly the intent of our Lord. Successor popes had already been raised up by the time Matthew’s Gospel had been written. The 2nd is in John’s gospel also written later recalling when Jesus asked Peter three times if he loves him. Peter declared “Lord you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus then missioned him with the mission that continues for his successors: “Tend my flock. Feed my sheep. Feed my lambs.”
One title Popes have used for centuries is “servant of the servant of God.” This mission has been passed on and the words “you are Peter” have been spoken 266 times always under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is as a servant not as a man of power he is called to open and explain the truth of Jesus Christ crucified and risen.
Why the Lord chose this way some wonder. Others seek to change what Christ instituted. Surely there are other ways in which the Church could have been structured or governed, but Christ chose this way. St. Paul in the 2nd reading reminds us, “How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways. For who has known the mind of God.” Christ instituted the Church and conferred primacy on Peter and his successors. It is not for us to challenge but to gratefully accept as the will of Christ.
In this age when the Church and moral and social teachings are under attack we can take comfort and hope in the words of Our Lord when Peter was presented the keys to the kingdom, “that the gates of the netherworld will not prevail against it.”
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was once asked what he would tell the youth at World Youth Day. He responded, “I would like to show them how beautiful it is to be a Christian. The common notion is that Christianity is made up of prohibitions and laws, and therefore is toilsome and burdensome . . . It is not a burden to be carried. It is like having wings.” Living with Christ at our center frees and uplifts us.
There is a legend that when Christ ascended into heaven, the angel Gabriel said to him, “Lord, is it permitted to ask what plans you have made for carrying on your work on earth?” “I have chosen some followers,” answered the Lord. “They will pass my message on till it reaches the whole world.” “But,” said the angel, “supposing these few people fail you – what other plans have you made?” Christ smiled and said, “I have no other plan. I am counting on them.”
He counts on popes and he counts on me and on you, each in ways appropriate to our vocation. Jesus also asks us: “who do you say that I am.” With the same clarity and selflessness of Peter, may we answer: “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” May we show others by how we live what we profess how beautiful it is to be a Christian. It’s like having wings.