Many Bible teachers have shown their ingenuity in obscuring the meaning of today's Gospel reading. They try to show that Jesus did not really make Peter the "Rock" on which He built His Church. However, when we read this passage in the original Greek and are conscious that Jesus spoke these words in Aramaic, we have to admit that this passage means what it appears to mean. Jesus founded the Church on St. Peter.
Most people would not be too concerned about Peter leading the Church for a few years after Jesus ascended. However, they rightly realize that this Biblical passage implies Peter's leadership of the Church throughout its history. Jesus set up a permanent structure where Peter and his successors lead the Church.
Peter's continuing authority and leadership in the Church is not a problem, but a gift. It promotes unity and protects God's people from being overwhelmed by confusion. Peter's successors, the popes, are parts of Christ's body on whom we can count to proclaim the truth, and to proclaim Who is the Truth (Jn 14:6), even amid deceptions, lies, and propaganda.
We need the pope and thank God for him. Pray for the pope. Listen to him. Find out what he teaches and apply his teachings to your life (see Heb 13:17).
| PRAYER: | Father, I will look to the pope for direction and not do my own thing. |
| PROMISE: | "Who has known the mind of the Lord?" –Rm 11:34 |
| PRAISE: | Praise the risen Jesus, Who holds "the keys of death and the nether world"! (Rv 1:18) |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College