Our Lady of Lourdes Church and School

“I will place the key of the House of David on Eliakim's shoulder; when he opens, no one shall shut, when he shuts, no one shall open.” (Is 22:22)

“I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Mt 16:19)

In our scriptures, the idea of the keys is associated with authority. In the first reading, the king entrusts authority to Eliakim, because his first minister had failed in his responsibilities and had to be replaced. Today’s gospel tells of Jesus singling out Peter and entrusting him with the “keys to the kingdom of heaven”. This takes on a particular significance within the Christian tradition, and throughout the centuries, St. Peter is often set apart in Christian-themed art by the keys he holds. Today, we find the crossed keys on the papal coat of arms, indicating the authority of the papal office. For ourselves, we might well wonder what such authority might mean, and what might be expected of those entrusted with responsibilities within the church.

Perhaps the easiest read of this text for us might be to speak about the authority of Peter (or the Pope), and that would be accurate. However, the power of “binding and loosing” is entrusted not only to Peter (Mt 16:19), but also to the whole community of believers (Mt 18:18). It is an authority that does not only speak about the exercise of particular power, but of the right living that is expected of believers. In other words, authority is given to those who can exercise it appropriately, to those who demonstrate that they understand its significance. Authority is not an abstract or isolated concept in the scripture. It is not about someone having power by virtue of some office or other they hold. Rather it is conferred on those who demonstrate a capacity for it. Peter is entrusted with authority precisely because he is able to confess that Jesus is the anointed one of God, the Christ, the Messiah. It is his lived faith that is his authority. It parallels the authority entrusted to Eliakim in the first reading. It is his faithfulness in service that gives him his authority. Scripture speaks of authority more as a responsibility than as power.

 When we consider this text for ourselves, we can do so both personally and communally. We may well have to do some soul-searching. Do visitors or seekers who come among us here at Lourdes recognize our authority to witness to the Christian faith in the manner of our gathering as a community of believers?  Do they find a community that is growing in caritas (charity/love) with one another, and striving to put flesh on our beliefs and convictions as a community? Or might people see in us a divided community, dissenting with one another and careless about our manner of Christian witness? Where lies our authority as a community?

On a more personal level, I might consider whether or not I live my faith in such a way that an observer might look at my life and recognize it as being authentically Christian? Does the manner of my living give me an authority that is grounded in the integrity of my personhood or the faithfulness of my being? When someone observes me do they see a would-be Christian? Or would they see someone really trying to live up to being a Christian but struggling? Or would they see someone who just pretends when it suits?

Where lies my authority as a disciple of Jesus? In what ways do I step up and take on the responsibility that comes with my being baptized? How do I live out my commitment to the community of which I am a part? How do I witness as a steward who contributes to support the ongoing work of the community through sharing my treasure, or sharing my gifts and talents, or praying for those who are more able or willing than I?

The Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven isn’t an idea that’s as abstract as we sometimes might think. It has very real and practical potential for our lives. Just imagine all the binding and loosing we could be engaged in for service of the Reign of God among us!