A HOUSE BUILT ON SAND - One Bread, One Body, 2/22/2008

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Friday, February 22, 2008, Chair of St. Peter

1 Peter 5:1-4, Psalm 23, Matthew 16:13-19
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/022208.shtml

A HOUSE BUILT ON SAND

" 'You are the Messiah,' Simon Peter answered, 'the Son of the living
God!' " —Matthew 16:16

Every denomination has a "pope." Every denomination, no matter how large
or small, has someone who occupies a prime position of authority. The
Catholic Church has a Pope. In fact, she has an unbroken succession of
pontiffs stretching all the way back to St. Peter, her first Pope.

Just as the patriarchs Abram and Jacob received new names to signify their
special mission, so Jesus gives the name of Cephas (or Peter), which means
'Rock,' to Simon. This name change clearly illustrates to Jesus' followers
that Peter occupies a place of primacy among the apostles.

Jesus gives Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Mt 16:19). The
significance of this action is rooted in Isaiah in the passage where
Eliakim receives the keys of the office of prime minister held by Shebna.
Isaiah prophesies God's word to Eliakim: "I will place the key of the
house of David on his shoulder; when he opens, no one shall shut, when he
shuts, no one shall open" (Is 22:22). Peter is also commissioned with the
power to bind and loose.

Doubters have tried for centuries to deny that Jesus founded a visible
Church under the leadership of St. Peter. However, an honest study of
Scripture and history causes their best efforts to crumble like a house
built on sand (see Mt 7:26-27).

Prayer: Lord, change me so that I live up to my name, Christian.

Promise: "Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come." —Ps 23:6

Praise: Praise Jesus, Who built His Church on the Rock of Peter.

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from
February 1, 2008 through March 31, 2008
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General Archdiocese of Cincinnati,
August 14, 2007

The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be
free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have
granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or
statements expressed.

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