Friday, February 22, 2013

Promise to Peter

In the wake of Pope Benedict's brave and self-effacing recent renunciation of the See of Rome, today the Church celebrates the "Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, Apostle." In today's Gospel, Our Lord promises the first Pope:
And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
-- Matthew 16:18

Sometimes it seems as if Christ's Church is in insurmountable crisis. Concern trolls in the media have said as much in their cynical reflections on Pope Benedict's revitalizing and reformist renunciation.

But it is not Heaven, but Hell, that is under siege. Jesus Christ is Lord, and the mighty hosts of the Church suffering, militant, and triumphant even now, even in us, encircle and besiege the Gates of Hell--those gates that are pridefully locked against God's love from the inside. It is not the Church that is in crisis. It is not the Church that is under siege. It is Hell. Whatever Popes have done, whoever Popes have been, whatever Popes will do, whoever Popes will be--Christ's Church built upon the rock of Peter will prevail against the cravenly cowering demons of besieged Hell. In Lent, we walk with Christ toward the Cross. But the victory of Easter is already won. To Christ and His Church already are secured the victory.

2 comments:

  1. This is nothing if not encouraging!

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  2. The Israelites in the desert foreshadow the Church militant today. We constantly deal with filth, scorpions & snakes while traveling to the Promised Land. The discomfort of it all is like the relentless heat of the desert.

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