21ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

Isaiah 22:19-23

Romans 11:33-36

Matthew 16:13-20

The Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven

Today’s liturgy presents us with the episode about Peter’s confession of faith, as well as the declaration of Jesus concerning the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. The scene took place in the region of Caesarea Philippi. In a dialogue between Jesus and his disciples, he asked them two questions. The first was very general and impersonal: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” The second is very personal and more engaging: “Who do you say that I am?” Out of divine illumination, Peter replied: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!”

Then Jesus declared to him: “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonas (…) And I tell you: You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church; and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven…” Peter’s authority, symbolized by the giving of the keys was prefigured in the first reading. Through the prophet Isaiah, God entrusted the key of the king’s household to Eliakim after having taken it from Shebna so that he may be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and for the house of Judah.

Thus, God entrusts the keys of his Kingdom to the Church, and in a particular way to Peter and his successors (the popes). Henceforth, the Church is called not to condemn, or to close or lock up, but to open the doors of God’s house, extend her arms to welcome, forgive, raise up, and to bring men and women to God. In fact, when we review the Church’s history in the light of today’s readings, we can see the fidelity of God, the inscrutability of his ways and the depth of his wisdom, as Saint Paul exclaims in the second reading.

As such, let us pray for the Church, especially for the Pope, in whom the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven are entrusted, that it will serve the liberation, healing and salvation of all mankind. May the Lord strengthen our faltering faith and help us to say like Peter: “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” Amen!