21^st SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

 

Readings: Isaiah 22:15, 19-23

                Romans 11:33-36

                Matthew 16:13-20

 

 

“You are Peter and on this rock I will build my church;

and never will the powers of death overcome it”

 

 

The New Testament gives us three important texts regarding the primacy of Peter. First, we have John 21:15-17 which tells us about the command of Christ to Peter: "Feed my sheep!" Second, we have Luke 22:31-32 which tells us about the prayer of Christ that Peter's faith may not fail. Third, we have Matthew 16:17-19 which tells us about Peter as the rock upon which Christ builds his church.

 

Our gospel this Sunday is Matthew's account. Thus, today we are invited to meditate on this significant biblical foundation of our catholic dogma Peter’s primacy.

 

1. Matthew’s gospel provides for us a biblico-theological framework in our catholic understanding on Peter's primacy. As Christ's earthly presence is bound to end, one of Matthew's main concerns is to present the delegation of authority which Christ fully received from the father (Mt 1-9) to his disciples, particularly to Peter (Mt 10-28). Thus, his whole presentation is pedagogical. In this part of his gospel alone (Mt 14-17), Peter is singled out as someone special. In Mt 14:22-33, we see Jesus letting Peter walk on the waters. In Mt 17:24-27, we learn about Jesus paying the temple tax for himself and for Peter only. And in today’s episode, we are told about a particular event we must never forget: Jesus entrusts to Peter his church and the keys of the kingdom of heaven.

 

2. The scene puts us at Caesarea Philippi. "Who do people say the Son of Man is?” This question is thrown twice: first, to the people in general; second, to the disciples in particular. Both groups gave their answers. Those who think Christ is a prophet are not mistaken. In fact, Christ is not only a prophet but the prophet. But such answer seems not to satisfy Christ. Only, Peter’s answer becomes pleasing to his ears: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

 

Peter's answer comes as a big revelation. It bespeaks of two important truths. "Christ" embodies his being the Anointed One; and "Son of the living God" embodies his divinity. This is the highest level of truth about the person of Jesus that no man could ever know by himself. In fact, Jesus himself confirms it as a matter of divine revelation: “You are a happy man, Simon Barjona, for it is not flesh or blood that has revealed this to you but my Father in Heaven.” It is not surprising then that Peter's answer has satisfied the Lord so much. So, Peter now receives his reward. Of course, it is not because he is worthy of it. It was only revealed to him, after all. But of all the people in general and of all the apostles in particular, why Peter? The fact that Peter is singled out must be of divine pleasure.

 

3. It is because of this heavy theological significance that we pay particular and special attention to the statements of Jesus. These statements are crucial and decisive. The apostles themselves and the early church must have been aware of such importance, and they have handed this to us as a matter of an undying tradition.

 

a. "You are Peter and on this rock -will build my church.” --- At least two terms carry heavy weights: rock and church. On the one hand, the rock signifies firmness, stability, unity. In the Old Testament, the word is used to portray such signification. God is the rock of Israel (cf Gen 49:24; Deut 32:4,15; Ps 18:3). Abraham is the rock from which sprung a people blessed by God (cf Is 51:1) Here, the rock is Simon (and not Jesus, as some claim). That is why Simon is called Peter, and we call him Peter until now. On the other hand, the church means "assembly called together." This word is used 115 times in the New Testament, but only twice in the gospels and both in Matthew. Thus, as Christ builds his church upon Peter, he intends to form his disciples and followers as the assembly of the New People of God. Note, as evidently indicated by Christ's insistence: I will build my church, this church is Christ's church. Not anybody's church. Not even Peter's church. But in this church, Peter is the rock foundation. He is the person of authority, the figure of stability, the symbol of unity. This role has been passed on to Peter’s successors. This has been the understanding of the early church which we have faithfully kept till today.

 

b. “Never will the powers of death overcome it.” By Christ's death and resurrection, death has also been put to death. Death has no more power over him (cf Rom 6:9). From this very fact, Christ gives his assurance. True, the church he builds must face the powers of death, sin being its deadliest venom. This struggle continues till the end-time. This is precisely why Peter is the rock which founds the church. The rock continues to be there as long as the church is there. So, as the church will stand firm till the end time, Peter's role as rock must be passed on to his successor till the end-time, too. Besides, as Christ's presence is perpetual (cf Mt 28:20), the church will also remain steadfast. Thus, we must not be surprised about the ups and downs of the church. The tests of time and the evidence of history are so strong a proof that ours is the true church. On the one side, we see the human aspect of it in her weakness and seeming failures. But on the other side, we also see the divine aspect of it in her steadfastness and consistency. The fact that she has remained One, Holy, Roman and Catholic proves that there must be a hand of divine providence abiding in her. And no other "church" can ever claim the same proof and evidence.

 

c. “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of Heaven.” The keys of heaven signify that Peter’s authority is no mere human. Otherwise, it would be too stupid for Christ to utter these powerful words if only to mean them as a joke. These words must have a definite biblical meaning. The master of the house has the keys (cf Is 22:22; Rev 1:18,3:7). And just like in today’s first reading, the master gives them to his entrusted steward. Thus, what he opens, no one shall shut; what he shuts, no one shall open. This is the job of Peter as Vicar of Christ.

 

d. “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven, and what you unbind on earth shall be unbound in Heaven.” This metaphor which originates from rabbinical vocabulary can refer either to doctrinal or disciplinary matters. In doctrinal matters, to bind means to prohibit and to unbind (to loose) means to allow. In disciplinary matters, to bind means to condemn and to unbind means to absolve. Thus, Peter is given such broad authority over the means of salvation. He is supreme too as regards faith and morals. His juridical authority on earth is reflective in heaven. What is valid or invalid on earth shall be valid or invalid in heaven. Such is Peter’s primacy. And this is a matter of divine mandate.