KEY TO PETER
Key is the symbol of authority. In the ancient world, a walled city will have only one prominent gate with one lock and key. To hand over the key hallmarked handing over authority over the city.
When Joseph interpreted the dream of Pharaoh in Egypt, he said to Joseph: “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you are. You shall be in charge of my household, and all my people will obey your command. Only in respect to the throne will I outrank you” (Gen 41: 39-40).
The Lord said of Eliakim through Isaiah, “I will place the key of the House of David on his shoulder; what he opens, no one will shut, what he shuts, no one will open” (Isa 22:22).
When Jesus and the disciples were at Caesarea Philippi, Peter confessed to Jesus, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Mt 16:16). Jesus then handed over the keys of the heavenly city to Peter, saying: “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).
REFLECTION
Though Jesus selected twelve apostles as the pillars of his church, he gave the leadership of them to Peter. He and his successors became the visible representatives of Jesus to govern the church. Let us be one with the vicar of Christ and the church he leads.