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Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time Reading I: Isaiah 22:19‑23 1. Shebna and Eliakim are two names in Hebrew History. We probably have not heard them before and we will not hear them again. They are not common to our culture like Tom,
Dick and Harry. And yet these two types of persons could be found in any society. Shebna the prime minister ("who is over the household") was a man in power. But he misused it, was found wanting and is now
going to be dismissed.
Eliakim from a different tribe altogether will now be given power. He is expected to rule with integrity and a care for the people. He will be given the usual ceremonials: A robe and a sash which are symbols of authority. But he will receive two other symbols. One is the Key of the House of David. It will be up to him “who will be allowed to enter and who will be barred” from entering into the Kingdom. Authority and Power can corrupt easily and so he is given a second mandate in the form of a Title. He will be “Father” of his people. As such, he will be responsible for the widow and the orphan, for the homeless, the poor and those who are used and abused in society. 2. Liturgists tell us that this obscure passage is used here because of the phrase "key of the House of David". Simon Peter like Eliakim will get the “Keys”. Like Eliakim, he will also get a title: Petrus or the Rock. The idea of the Keys is taken up in the Gospel today in the passage of You are Peter and I will give you the Keys of the Kingdom. There is a consensus among scholars that the original setting of these words were after the Resurrection of Jesus. The Rock on which Jesus will build the Church is Peter and not the Faith of Peter. 3. Both Catholics and Protestants see this passage as the “key passage” (no pun intended) of the Foundation of the church. The Protestants see the Powers of the Keys and Binding and loosing as continued in the Church, the Body of Christ - of which we are all members. The Catholics see in the passage the Primacy of Peter and the Apostles. They are equals, but Peter is first. Primus inter pares. 4. It might seem disconcerting that such a lot of power and trust has been put on Peter. It could not be because of his faith. His faith was rather shaky. oh man of little faith, after Peter sinks when he tries to walk on water get behind me Satan, your ways are not God’s ways before the cock crows you will deny me three times. we have given up all, what is in there for us. But it is reassuring because it on the person of Peter and Christ’s authority. Jesus assures us that he will be with us until the end of time. 5. Jesus gives Peter, the Rock the Keys of God’s power. The keys are to be used like Jesus did. They are to open the eyes and ears and hearts to the Word of God and to the Kingdom of God. They are to shut out death, evil, sickness and selfishness when dealing with the People of God and with God. We all know the Power of Keys door keys which show ownership. car keys which show mobility and style computer keys and bank keys which today have the power to open almost anything. Together with these come the responsibility to use them as Eliakim used them. And as Christians, we must use it in a caring manner to reflect the God who gave the power to us in the first place. A few Sundays ago, the Book of Wisdom described this Divine Power “in your power, you judge with mildness and with great mercy (forbearance) you govern us.” 6. Ah ! if only our Prime Ministers and Presidents could see secular power in that way. We would not have the mess we are in just now. As for the Power and its use in the Church, Jesus has given us enough clear instructions about that. if you want to be first, you shall be last and the servant of all. For whosoever exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted. Luke 14:11 and the best was his own example: the washing of the feet of his disciples. You call me Lord and master, and so I am. Now you go and do likewise. Do it in memory of me. 7. We have enough examples in our own Church history of how Power has been abused, from the time of the Crusades until today. But we have also enough of models of how should POWER be used from St. Francis of Assisi to Mother Teresa and Jean Vanier. True power is not grabbed, coveted or taken by force. If we do that, we will be relieved of it, like Shebna, the Chief Minister. True power is received with open and generous and gentle hands. It is given by God as Paul tells us. It is from Him and through Him... and if we use it as Jesus did, to God will be the glory forever. APPENDIX: the Keys of the Kingdom is the text used to prove Papal Primacy. It is also the basis to admit or to exclude. Through Scripture and Tradition we need that structure. We believe that the Pope is the Holder of the Keys. But we have also other powers: the Keys of the Eucharist. Jesus is with us through all ages. We are invited to the Eucharistic Key for the healing of eyes that cannot see, for the healing of ears that cannot hear for the healing of limbs that have become lame through anger, jealousy, revenge The Key of the Eucharist can heal all this and then some. We drink of the Blood that has been poured out for the remission of sins as said in the Words of Consecration. The Key of the Eucharist must exclude false teaching and arrogance, false masks we wear, and anything that destroys the true image that we are made in the Likeness of God.
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