What my friend didn’t realize is the fact that his question has forced the Gospel to become real to me in a way it never was before.
How many times during my Priesthood have I read the Gospel stories about Jesus passing His authority to bind and release men’s souls to Peter and his successors?
How many times, as a seminarian and later as a Priest, did I pray and worship within the sanctuary of St. Peter Basilica, under its magnificent dome bearing an inscription which quotes that Gospel incident: “Tu es Petrus... (You are Peter...).
How often have I proclaimed the Gospel (and preached of its implications and its merits) which tells how Jesus reprimanded Peter for wanting to defend and protect Him from fulfilling His Mission of self-sacrifice for the salvation of mankind: “Get behind me, satan....”
Since speaking with my friend, these two Gospel passages have come to mind often and have become more real to me than they have ever been.
This is their challenge at this moment in my life.
Jesus entrusted His Divine authority to Peter and his successors. He didn’t entrust it to me, or my brother-Priests. He didn’t entrust it to conferences of Bishops, or to diocesan agencies or parish councils.
“Tu es Petrus...” remains the hallmark of the salvific efficacy of the Church. In the leadership of the Vicar of Christ, God’s People are promised and will find personal redemption and the sanctification of their souls.
Additionally, as I find myself inclined not just to question but perhaps even resist the new moral initiatives introduced by Pope Francis, I must ask myself if I am not a “satan” of sorts, judging the actions of Christ’s Vicar not according to God’s way but according to my own.
In answer to my friend's question, I am left only to pose an further question: “If Peter (in the person of Pope Francis) is challenging me to accept an evolution (perhaps even a revolution) in moral teaching, how can I choose against him? Can there ever be a dichotomy between the Church and the Office of Peter?
And were I to oppose him, would I not be questioning the ways of Christ and fall into the failings of Peter himself?
In a very poignant way, a way I never expected, the Gospel stories have become very real to me.
I begin to understand and appreciate even more the great faith of the Apostles and the Early Church which accepted Christ’s teachings without question, teachings so foreign and opposed to what they had known and embraced for generations.
For the Apostles, it was enough that Jesus said what he said and insisted that they accept and teach the same, no matter how challenging or unfamiliar to their accustomed way of thinking and acting.
That was the heroism of their faith which gave birth to the Church itself.
Is this not the exact same challenge I and my friend and so many others in the Church are facing today?
How shall we respond and what shall the legacy of our actions be for generations yet to be born?
Yes, this is what happens when the Gospels stop being just nice stories and take on a reality I have never experienced previously.
Dear Holy Spirit, guide me and guide Your Church. Help us to accept Your Will and Your Wisdom in all things....and help us, please, today!
No comments:
Post a Comment