Imagine in April the betting world was speculating on who the next Pope would be. In fact, experts are everywhere interpreting every gesture or utterance of his. When Pope Benedict gave the Regensburg’s address, it sparked an immediate outrage because he allegedly insulted the Muslims. Pope Francis’ “Who am I to judge?” was taken to be his accommodating nod to behaviour contrary to Catholic teaching. Whether conscious or not, our news cycle is a constant roller coaster ride of dopamine-fuelled knee-jerk reactions.
Today we celebrate two Apostles, both pivotal in the Great Commission given by Christ before the Ascension. They are so central that they even supersede the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time. This is what the Preface says of them.
“For by your providence the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul bring us joy: Peter, foremost in confessing the faith, Paul, its outstanding preacher. Peter, who established the early Church from the remnant of Israel, Paul, master and teacher of the Gentiles that you call. And so, each in a different way gathered together the one family of Christ; and revered together throughout the world, they share one Martyr’s crown”.
They are both celebrated together because one Great Commission is executed in a two-pronged approach to evangelisation. While both Apostles do the same work, one ranks higher in terms of authority.
The Gospel Reading today revealed the primacy of Peter because upon him, the Rock, Christ wants to build His Church. It is a mighty responsibility for one man to shoulder. In the passage, Christ asked the central question which the Church must answer from Peter until the end of time. For as long as there is time, he and those who hold his office, on behalf of the Church, must supply this answer: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”.
We can appreciate Peter’s primacy, if we survey the three elements of creed, cult and code that inform any religion. Firstly, in terms of creed, we profess a faith that has not been invented by us. Instead, we received it from the Twelve who through Apostolic succession handed it down to us. Secondly, our cults unite us in the worship of God. Admittedly the word “cult” is negative but in our case, the worship that we give to God is expressed through the different rites of the universal Church. Last count, we have 21 rites throughout the Catholic-verse. Thirdly, the code denotes the moral principles that govern our ethical behaviour. There is a central authority under whom we are governed and it is here that the Primacy of Peter resides.
Peter is central to the unity of the Church. Catholics and Orthodox are separated because the Orthodox Churches lack the Petrine principle. They do not accept the primacy of Peter and his successors. Yet, the Orthodox are rightfully Churches because they profess the same faith or creed and are united in their worship or cult.
Since they maintain a worship legitimised by Apostolic Succession, we are allowed to received Holy Communion in these Churches. The only thing is that they may not like it, since for them, Catholics in the “West” are heretical.
The centrality of Peter and the authority of the Pope is a good for the Church. It might help to be less reactive and maybe to be more engaging in terms of praying for the Church, most particularly for the Bishop of Rome who holds the primacy of charity or love for the whole Church founded by Jesus Christ.
The Pope’s authority over the universal Church is not a lordship. Authority is a service, just like Christ who washed the feet of His disciples on Holy Thursday. The Pope’s authority is to maintain both creed and cult so that the faith received, while expressed differently, is still in continuity with the faith of the Apostles.
The previous Pope, Francis tried to lead the Church along synodal path to becoming a Church of service rather than a hierarchy that lords over the laity. The pace of change is slow but St Pope Paul VI who on the 80th anniversary of the teaching of Rerum Novarum reminded the Church that people listen to the teachers not because they teach but because they live their teaching authentically. The Church has a long way to go in becoming more credible in her preaching.
More than ever, in a fractured world, the office of the Pope is to hold the Church together because he is the guardian of unity in faith and morals for the Church. Peter the Pontiff is the bridge, sturdy and strong, whose ministry is to help the sons and daughters of the Church along the path to eternity. In that sense, the Pope is powerful.
What does he need? If we take the example of the US President, we may discern what is to be done. The POTUS too is powerful for he holds the key to an arsenal powerful enough to reduce the face of the earth into a perpetual nuclear winter. The owner of Tesla is also a key player in the development of the future of Artificial Intelligence. For a while both are willing to share the spotlight but at the pinnacle of power, there is little room for inflated egos. If that sends a shudder, perhaps we should find a way to deal with power. Of course, we may have the intellect or even the wisdom to see reality for what it is and even call it out. But what did Jesus do?
According to Luke’s Gospel, Jesus, at the Last Supper, prayed for Peter that he would not fail but if he did, when he repents, he should strengthen the faith of the brothers and sisters. It is easy to pontificate and pass judgement but not easy to pray. Each Mass, we mention Pope Leo’s name. Rather than react because we know everything, it is better to pray for the Pope because he is a powerful man. For the Pope, he needs our prayers for wisdom to build bridges and the steer the barque of Peter along the sure, strong and steady path to heaven. For us, the sheep led by the shepherd of Christ, it is better to pray than to pontificate.
