From the Friars Daily eLetter

September 16, 2008

Saint Peter in the New Testament

We had a marvelous visit from Pope Benedict in Washington D.C. and New York City. His visit to Sydney for the World Youth Day was equally grace filled. His presence and message were profound. I think that many people were really surprised by this experience. When all of the dust settled, the Vatican offered a word of thanks to the media for such positive and fair coverage. How can we make sense of this unforeseen turn of events?

Try this: go through the four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles and pull out all of the passages which deal with Peter. Upon praying over these texts you will see that Jesus clearly intended some type of office and ministry for Simon Peter. It is obvious that Jesus established a Church, a Church with some type of structure for leadership based on the foundation of the twelve apostles (a word which means sent). Among this group Peter stands out as special, as some type of head to the apostolic band. This was not unusual for it fits with how God had been working throughout the entire Bible - think of Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jacob-Israel and King David. All of these were chosen leaders of God's people, special ambassadors of the Almighty.

So when the successor to Saint Peter comes, like Saint Peter he comes as one sent by Jesus Christ as an ambassador. Now we can know what Jesus meant when he said things such as: "he who receives you receives me"; "he who hears you hears me"; "I give you the keys, whatsoever you bind or loose..."; "feed my lambs"; "you are Rock and upon this Rock I will build my Church"; "when you have turned, strengthen your brethren"; etc. Now we can know why Jesus left the Synagogue and sat in Peter's boat to teach. Now we can know why Peter paid the Temple tax for himself and Jesus with a coin found in the mouth of a fish. Now we can know why Peter walked on the water like Jesus. Now we can know why Peter in the Acts of the Apostles is acting like Jesus. Now we know why the mere tassel of Jesus' cloak caused healing and the mere shadow of Peter did the same. Yes, the shadow of Peter fell on us again as Pope Benedict traversed our streets. Now we can make sense of that unforeseen turn of events which accompanied the Pope's visit. It is an encounter with Christ which makes sense of that wonderful and surprising experience of Pope Benedict. The face, the hands, the words of Jesus shone through this Vicar of Christ on earth.

God bless,

Fr. Luke Mary Fletcher, CFR



September 16, 2008 Saint Peter in the New Testament We had a marvelous visit from Pope Benedict in Washington D.C. and New York City. His visit to Sydney for the World Youth Day was equally grace filled. His presence and message were profound. I think that many people were really surprised by this experience. When all of the dust settled, the Vatican offered a word of thanks to the media for such positive and fair coverage. How can we make sense of this unforeseen turn of events? Try this: go through the four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles and pull out all of the passages which deal with Peter. Upon praying over these texts you will see that Jesus clearly intended some type of office and ministry for Simon Peter. It is obvious that Jesus established a Church, a Church with some type of structure for leadership based on the foundation of the twelve apostles (a word which means sent). Among this group Peter stands out as special, as some type of head to the apostolic band. This was not unusual for it fits with how God had been working throughout the entire Bible - think of Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jacob-Israel and King David. All of these were chosen leaders of God's people, special ambassadors of the Almighty. So when the successor to Saint Peter comes, like Saint Peter he comes as one sent by Jesus Christ as an ambassador. Now we can know what Jesus meant when he said things such as: "he who receives you receives me"; "he who hears you hears me"; "I give you the keys, whatsoever you bind or loose..."; "feed my lambs"; "you are Rock and upon this Rock I will build my Church"; "when you have turned, strengthen your brethren"; etc. Now we can know why Jesus left the Synagogue and sat in Peter's boat to teach. Now we can know why Peter paid the Temple tax for himself and Jesus with a coin found in the mouth of a fish. Now we can know why Peter walked on the water like Jesus. Now we can know why Peter in the Acts of the Apostles is acting like Jesus. Now we know why the mere tassel of Jesus' cloak caused healing and the mere shadow of Peter did the same. Yes, the shadow of Peter fell on us again as Pope Benedict traversed our streets. Now we can make sense of that unforeseen turn of events which accompanied the Pope's visit. It is an encounter with Christ which makes sense of that wonderful and surprising experience of Pope Benedict. The face, the hands, the words of Jesus shone through this Vicar of Christ on earth. God bless, Fr. Luke Mary Fletcher, CFR