PRAYER PAUSE
Thursday 22 February 2018,
Peter’s Chair in Rome
ON
THIS ROCK
Enter
into the stillness of God within.
Reading: “You are Peter and on this
rock I will build my church.” (Matthew 16:13-19)
Reflection. Asserting the claim of the
pope today to universal authority over the worldwide Church may sound to some
of our fellow Christians insensitive and even arrogant. Yet, the words above
are etched in six foot high letters round the inside of the dome of St Peter’s
in Rome. Properly understood, they are a reasonable and logical interpretation
of the tradition handed down in the Scriptures. The pope is the “servant of the
servants” of the Lord and plays a key role both as a sign and guarantor of
unity in the Church and also of universal care. Take the delicate role of the
pope in China today. The Chinese vehemently oppose any outside authority
chosing key figures , like bishops, in their country. Yet the common practice
of the Church since the Napoleonic upheavals two hundred years ago is for the
pope to have the last say in the appointment of bishops.
Prayer. Lord, give Pope Francis continued
strength and wisdom to be the servant of the Church today. May he not grow
weary in the face of opposition. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment