The Keys to the Kingdom

The Keys to the Kingdom

Submitted by Thomas Stidl

         During the month of March in the daily gospel readings we heard the story of Simon’s profession of faith to Jesus that Jesus is the Son of God.  The response from Jesus was that flesh and blood did not reveal this to him, but the Heavenly Father.  It was at that moment that Jesus changed the name of Simon to Peter which means rock.  Jesus also said to Peter that he is rock and upon this rock, I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  Jesus also gave Peter the keys to the kingdom of Heaven when He also said to him, “What you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven and what you loose on earth will be loosed in Heaven.”

         Basically, Peter was given more than the other apostles at that time.  The binding and loosing is a tremendously powerful gift.  It is a continuation or augmentation of the power of one phrase of the Lord’s Prayer.  When we as human beings, whether clergy or not, pray the following,” forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” we then take on the power of binding and loosing.  When we do dot forgive, we bind ourselves and cling to old hurts and anger.  We should not offer any sacrifice to God in that state of mind.  Rather, we must forgive our fellow man and loose the bonds of hurt and anger.  Once we have done this, our Heavenly Father will forgive and with the healing grace given to us by a priest in the sacrament of Reconciliation, our brokenness will be healed.  Then we can offer a fitting sacrifice to God.

         Let’s put this into practical terms.  Let’s say that ten persons cut you off on the freeway while driving.  Must we forgive all ten persons?  The answer is yes if we want the Lord to forgive us for all the foul language we used during those incidents.  What if somebody in the office does things to aggravate you?  How many times must you forgive?  I have particular experience in this occurrence.  Do we expect God to forgive us continuously?  Then all of us must do the same.  That does not mean that we should not take any actions such as trying to find a new job.  When we find that new job and leave, it will be a lesson teaching example to that general manager that loves to pile on the work on a Friday afternoon that keeps you working on the weekend when you had other social plans.  By the way, this is not a plan for you to get even with the general manager.  This is a plan for you to protect your sanity and not to allow anyone to take you for granted.

         Yes, all of us to some degree possess the power of binding and loosing to a much lesser extent that was given to Peter.  I hope and pray that this article is helpful in dealing with the people who surround you.

         Until next time, Laus Tibi, Christe.  Deo Gratias.  Gloria Tibi Domini.  Laus Deo.  See you in Paradise.