 |
 |
 |
 |
"I was wondering about the verses in Matthew 16:18-20 in which Jesus gives Peter the Keys of the Kingdom, so that whatever he binds on earth shall be bound in heaven. Jesus is singling Peter out, and bestowing on him something extraordinary. But is Christ also allowing all believers to 'bind on earth and bind in heaven' when in Matthew 18:18 he uses similar words while addressing the disciples?"
- Alex
Dear Alex:
In reference to the primacy of Peter, The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
"The Lord made Simon alone, whom he named Peter, the 'rock', of his Church. He gave him the keys of his Church, and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock. The office of binding and loosing which was given to Peter was also assigned to the college of the apostles united to its head." (881)
So the power of "binding and loosing" was not conferred on all believers, but only on the apostles and their successors, the bishops. Moreover, the authority given to the bishops is not exercised independently, but in unity with the Holy Father
"Together with its head, the Roman Pontiff, and never without this head, the episcopal order is the subject of supreme and full power over the universal Church. But this power can be exercised only with the consent of the Roman Pontiff. For the Lord made Simon Peter alone the rock and key bearer of the Church (see Matthew 16:18-19), and appointed him shepherd of the whole flock (see John 21:15)." (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church 22 para.3)
There are numerous examples in Sacred Scripture which illustrate the primacy of Peter, revealing him to be the one chosen by Jesus to be the "the rock and keybearer of the Church." At their first meeting, for example, Jesus bestowed on him a new name:
"You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter). John 1:42
Giving someone new name had considerable significance in the Jewish tradition. It meant the person was being set apart and given a new status. We see this when Abram was changed to Abraham (Genesis 17:5), Jacob to Israel (Genesis 32:28), and Eliacim to Joakim (2Kings 23:34), to cite just a few examples. Later, at Caesarea Philippi, when Jesus asks the disciples, " ...who do you say that I am?" (Matthew 16:15), it is Peter who replies with a profession of faith: "You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God." (Matthew 16: 16). Jesus tells Peter that this truth has been specially revealed to him from above, then discloses to Peter the significance of his new name. Peter (which means 'rock') is to be the rock on which his Church would be founded:
"Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah ! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will 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." (Matthew 16: 17-19)
There are many other examples from Sacred Scripture showing that Peter held a special place of authority among the apostles. These instances are well documented in Karl Keating's book, Catholicism and Fundamentalism. For example:
"When they were named, Peter almost always headed the list (Mt 10:1-4; Mk 3:16-19; Lk 6:14-16; Acts 1:13); sometimes it was only 'Peter and his companions' (Lk 9:32). Peter was the one who generally spoke for the apostles (Mt 18:21; Mk 8:29; Lk12:41; Jn 6:69), and he figured in many of the most dramatic scenes (Mt 14:28-32; 17:24; Mk 10:28). On Pentecost it was he who first preached to the crowds (Acts 2:14-40), and he worked the first healing (Acts 3:6-7). And to Peter came the revelation that Gentiles were to be baptized (Acts 10:46-48).
It is good that you have an interest in the primacy of Peter and the role of Church members in general. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is an excellent source of information on this topic. You will find lots to interest you in Paragraph 4 Christ's Faithful--Hierarchy, Laity, Consecrated Life, which is part of Article 9 of The Profession of Faith.
In addition, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (cited above) is one of the documents from the Second Vatican Council, and the section quoted comes from Chapter Three, titled The Hierarchical Structure of the Church with Special Reference to the Episcopate. This would be another good source of information should you wish to pursue your interest in this topic. The documents of the Second Vatican Council are published in paperback format, and can be found in many bookstores and most libraries.
God bless,
Father Norbert