8/23/20: 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time: Where is the Pope in the Bible?

Today's Gospel features one of the most beloved and important passages to Catholics, where Jesus names Peter "Rock" (the name Peter itself is a translation into English of the Greek word for rock) and declares that the church will be built upon him. Furthermore, and more radically, Jesus tells Peter that to him are given "the keys to the kingdom of heaven" -- keys being a symbol of authority. And then he tells Peter, "Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." So Jesus is giving Peter the authority to act and decide in Jesus's name. And this is precisely what we believe the current Holy Father to be (Pope Francis or whomever it is at the time): the Successor of Peter -- the guarantor of the fidelity of the teachings of the Church to Christ -- and the secure foundation upon which our Church -- and our faith -- rests. Let us pray for the grace to be obedient to this authority which Christ Himself has given!