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(Mathew: ch 16. ver. 14-19)
14. And Jesus came into the quarters of Cesarea Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men say that the Son of man is?
14 But they said: Some John the Baptist, and other some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am?
16 Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven.
18 And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.
(The music that you hear in the background is based on the words in block letters.)
Why did Jesus choose Peter?
He was called 'man of little faith' when he doubted Christ, who was walking on water, and before that when the boat was about to drown in the stormy sea of Galilee.
Peter was the one who denied knowing Christ
Knowing well, that he was building His Church on this rock, which was not known to be very reliable, he still went ahead, with his plan, because He knew, that He would be with his Church always, and His holy Spirit will be teaching and reminding them of what he had taught them.
Then why did some of the Church leaders go wrong?
In the life of Christ, we see many events, which teach us by example. His birth in a stable, is a sign for us, as to what is God's vision regarding our human values. The weakness of the Apostles shown above, and Christ's assurance is another example, that it is not mere human beings who run the Church, but it is his guidance, that will not allow the gates of hell to prevail against it. This fact is borne out by the Church History of the last 2000 years. How many have come and gone, who wanted to destroy it, and are still plotting to do the same?
Why did Christ choose a hierarchic system, rather than a democratic system?
It was His vision of how humans left to their own ingenuity will bring calamity into this world, in spite of all the systems the human kind could think of. In His Wisdom, he knew he could guide the Church better, by choosing the method he did by selecting Twelve Apostles, teaching and training them, and placing Peter as the head of the team.
Did the other Apostles accept Peter's authority?
Except for Judas, who left the Team, the others did accept, as can be seen in the Acts of the Apostles.
Ch. 1. Verse 15 In those days Peter rising up in the midst of the brethren, said: (now the number of persons together was about an hundred and twenty:)
Chapter 2. Verse 14: But Peter standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke to them: Ye men of Judea, and all you that dwell in Jerusalem, be this known to you, and with your ears receive my words.
Know more of St. Peter by clicking this link:
This is also confirmed by the Early Church Fathers.
Finally, it is the choice God has given to individuals, to accept Him or reject Him. Use the gift of the mind he has given, to search for Truth. Believe whomsoever they think are more credible to them.
Personal biases deflect the mind from thinking clearly. The experts who come on TV and Radio Shows - are they more credible to us than the above Scriptures, the lives of Saints who lived the Faith, and the early followers, among whom the Church Fathers - well educated, and brilliant men have left plenty of written testimonies.
Remember, that Christ warned: "If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also" - so while the wolves are roaming Bavaria, hunting for news of Pope's past which can be used to defame him, we have to be on our guard, so that journalists in wolves clothing will not devour our minds. Vested interests feel threatened by the size of the Roman Catholic Church, well publicized by the US networks, and are afraid to lose their cherished and well nurtured niches in the world - Remember the furor that was let loose after Mel Gibson made his Passion of the Christ and no Hollywood house was prepared to back it?. Not everyone is in love with the Church or Jesus Christ.
Remember that our flesh is weak, and we tend to find justification for our weaknesses. God's mercy is beyond measure, and we should not doubt it. The worst among humans is a creation of God, and is loved by Him, and the proof is that He sent his only begotten Son to save all of us from damnation.
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23. And having dismissed the multitude, he went into a mountain alone to pray. And when it was evening, he was there alone.
24 But the boat in the midst of the sea was tossed with the waves: for the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night, he came to them walking upon the sea.
26 And they seeing him walk upon the sea, were troubled, saying: It is an apparition. And they cried out for fear.
27 And immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying: Be of good heart: it is I, fear ye not.
28 And Peter making answer, said: Lord, if it be thou, bid me come to thee upon the waters.
29 And he said: Come. And Peter going down out of the boat, walked upon the water to come to Jesus.
30 But seeing the wind strong, he was afraid: and when he began to sink, he cried out, saying: Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretching forth his hand took hold of him, and said to him: O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt?
24.And behold a great tempest arose in the sea, so that the boat was covered with waves, but he was asleep.
25 And they came to him, and awaked him, saying: Lord, save us, we perish.
26 And Jesus saith to them: Why are you fearful, O ye of little faith? Then rising up he commanded the winds, and the sea, and there came a great calm.
27 But the men wondered, saying: What manner of man is this, for the winds and the sea obey him?
25. And Simon Peter was standing, and warming himself. They said therefore to him: Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said: I am not.
26 One of the servants of the high priest (a kinsman to him whose ear Peter cut off) saith to him: Did I not see thee in the garden with him?
27 Again therefore Peter denied; and immediately the cock crew.
26. But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you
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