Message from our Parochial Vicar

August 24, 2008

KEYS CAN MEAN SO MUCH!

I remember the first time I got a key to the house. Mom was venturing out into the field, and I would need to let myself in at lunchtime and after School. I can remember the way my mom handed it to me. With it came a bunch of instructions, more like a Ten Commandments of Key Responsibility- you shall not forget to take it in the morning. You shall not give it to anyone else. You shall not take it out of your pocket except to open the door. And you shall not lose it.  Although it was just a key, I knew that a great deal of responsibility went along with it. Everyone who held this key had access to much, and was entrusted with much. No longer was I just a “kid”. I was finally growing up, sharing in the responsibilities of the adult world.

A lot has been made of these few words, more than can possibly be expounded on here. But, it seems pretty clear that Jesus was entrusting Peter with certain powers and responsibilities- ones that have been handed down through the centuries to the present day.  I wonder what Peter thought? Did he understand? Did he think he was capable of what he was asked to do? Was he happy that he was the “chosen person”? The keys given to Peter not only signified the uniqueness of the responsibilities entrusted to him. They also signified that Peter was a “perfect fit”, the right person, at the right in time, in history, for the right mission.

How do we see the Holy Father? How do we see his role, his Office, his responsibilities? How do we respond to his statements and teachings? Do we really believe that he is a perfect fit, the right person, at the right time? Or do we see it differently? Do we not believe that the same God who chose Peter is alive and at work choosing those who come after him?

When Jesus and his disciples were in the neighborhood of Caesarea Philippi they walked along and Jesus asked the apostles, who do persons say that the son of man is? Then, after they have relayed the various opinions people have, Jesus asks them directly, “...but who do you say that I am?” We all know this moment- says John Paul II - in which it is no longer sufficient to speak about Jesus by repeating what others have said. You must bear witness, feel committed by the witness you have born and carry this commitment to its extreme consequences.

This question that Jesus puts to all his followers finds a special resonance in the heart of Peter, who moved by a special grace, replies, “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.”  Jesus calls Peter blessed for this truth-filled reply in which he openly confesses the divinity of Christ in whose company he has already spent some months.

This is the moment chosen by Christ to tell Peter that upon him will fall the primacy of the whole church. “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” He will be the rock, the firm foundation upon which Christ will build his church, in such a way that no power will be able to overthrow it. And our Lord himself has wanted Peter to feel supported and protected each day by the veneration, the love and the prayer of all the faithful. How do we pray every day for the Pope and his intentions? He has an awesome responsibility and we cannot leave him on his own. If we want to be really united to Christ we have to be united to the person who takes his place here on earth. May the daily consideration of the heavy burden that weighs upon the pope and the bishops move you to venerate and love them with real affection and to help them with your prayers.

Fr. John Lasuba
Parochial Vicar