George Matulaitis Journal

St. Peter, have doubts about whether the Holy See really has supernatur- al power. What superficial views on the one hand and what weak faith on the other! No! The gates of hell have not and will not prevail. It has been built up and is supported not by the hand of man but by that of Jesus Christ. A house not built on a firm and steadfast foundation has to fall; a ship without a navigator becomes a toy of the waves; an army facing the enemy without a commander must retreat; human society without government must fall apart. Christ, when he founded his kingdom on earth—the holy Catholic Church—that most numerous and most perfect human society which embraces all people of all times, all nations and countries, knew that he must give it a powerful arm to unite all men, a heart that cares for all, and a head that rules all. That is why he left us the Pope here on earth. Thus, from among the twelve apostles Christ consistently and publicly singles out one—Simon. He alone has his name changed to Peter—the Rock; Jesus pays the required tax for both of them; from his boat Jesus preaches to the crowds. In this manner for three years He prepares Peter to lead the Church. Giving him the keys to the kingdon of heaven, He says: “You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven”— meaning supreme authority—“Whatever you bind on earth shall be con- sidered bound in heaven” (Mt 16:18-19). This means: your command will be my command; your permission—my permission. These words leave no room for doubt: St. Peter received full authority in the Church. Where people reject the authority of St. Peter, there is no Church of Christ. It is a high and responsible position. And whom does Christ call to it?—He calls the weak and the powerless so that in their weakness His power would be all the more evident (cf., 1 Cor 1:27). He chooses an ordinary, uneducated laborer—a fisherman. And so that he would not be overly confident in his own power, nor that such a great thing should depend on something so weak, He allows Peter to fall. On hearing the words of a servant girl, he denies his Teacher and Redeemer three times (cf., Mt 26:69-75). But Christ raises him up after He himself is risen from the dead and once again confirms him as prince of the apostles and head of the Church. After asking Peter three times: “Simon, son of John, do 349