Who Holds the Key?

Many years ago, my father bought a bunch of padlocks that were all keyed the same. One key would open any of the locks. He kept one for himself and gave one to each of his children. His key would open the lock that held the door to the garage storage area. Each of my siblings and I could do the same.

To this day, I know that if I arrive in town when one of my siblings is not home, I will still be able to find shelter and a place to hang out until they get home, because I have a key that will open a door. Not all of them are secured by the original padlock, but some door will open. And if a tool were needed and one sibling knew the other had it, borrowing was not out of the question, as long as the tool made it back home!

It was a wonderful gift and has been something I think we all treasure. Whatever our history and differences of opinion, we always know the door is open in time of need.

At a recent retreat convocation I attended, Bishop Slawomir Szkredka of Santa Barbara was the presenter. He led us through the Gospel of St. Matthew and the background underlying the structure of the gospel as well as that of some of the critical events. It was a marvelous day, with much companionship with others in our community and so many new insights shared. One of the insights is related to the conversation between Jesus and St. Peter, in which Peter receives his new name and responsibility.

It occurred after the feeding of two large crowds of people when only minimal amounts of food were available. In this conversation a growing understanding by the disciples of who Jesus was can be seen.

Jesus asked his disciples who the people were saying he was.  They answered with names of recognized prophets – John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah. Then he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Simon Peter answered for them all. “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

Jesus did not deny the title. Instead, he praised Simon’s answer. “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah” – because the insight had not come from human sources but from the heavenly Father.

At this point, Jesus changed Simon’s name to another in Greek, Petros (Peter). The meaning of the name Simon was to hear or to listen. The name Peter meant rock. A change in name signaled a change in identity and responsibility.

Jesus told him, “I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church.” He continued, “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 16:13-20)

The image of keys as used in the conversation has deeper, more ancient roots than we who hear it today might realize.

During the time before the defeat of the kingdom of Judah by Babylon and the exile that followed, there were a series of prophecies of what would happen. In this section of the book of Isaiah, one of the oracles is a statement that calls out an official named Shebna, who is known as “master of the palace.” Shebna has not performed his role honestly. His corruption has become widely known and the Lord is not pleased. “I will thrust you from your office and pull you down from your station.”

In the place of Shebna, the prophecy announces, “I will summon my servant Eliakim…”

Eliakim will receive Shebna’s robe, his sash, and with them his authority over the city of Jerusalem and its inhabitants, symbolized by a key. Eliakim will become the one who is to “be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah.”

In those days, the palace of the ruler was much larger than the homes of ordinary folks, even those who were wealthy. One person was responsible for the entire palace, and that one person had the key that unlocked everything.  Only one person had the key. No one got in without the consent of the one with the key. The palace in the prophesy refers to the home of the king, but also to the House of David. David had been the second king of Israel and had been promised the Messiah would come from among his descendants. The Lord declared, “I will place the key of the House of David on Eliakim’s shoulders.”

In essence, Eliakim became the one responsible for the entire people, descendants of David, as well as of the royal household. Of course, Eliakim might not live to see that day of the coming of the Messiah, but only with that coming would this key, this authority, be transferred – to the Anointed One, the Messiah. (Is 22:19-23)

The Key. The Key of the House of David. Authority passed from generation to generation of faithful stewards, managers of the household and the community.

At long last, with this conversation between Jesus and his disciples, the key of the House of David is transferred by the Messiah to the one who would lead the new community of faith.

It is in this transfer of leadership to Peter, that his authority was established. He became the recognized leader of the disciples. When he denied Jesus during the trial by the Jewish authorities, it was an especially serious action. When he was forgiven by Jesus and again named to head the community through the instruction to feed the Lord’s sheep and tend the lambs, it was a confirmation of the initial call. “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church.”

We are a community that traces our origins to the witness, leadership, and ministry of Peter. Those of us in positions of leadership share in that ministry.

As a community and as individual leaders, we make mistakes, sometimes dramatic and very harmful ones. But always we are called to return to the Lord and to listen to his teaching of forgiveness and love for all people. Those who follow in Peter’s footsteps are called to listen as well and lead with wisdom and hearts open to love and forgiveness and inclusion of all.

The keys of the kingdom. The responsibility to guide and care for the community. Never to slam shut doors of love and mercy, but always to witness boldly through word and action to the message of forgiveness and reconciliation between heaven and earth.

The ultimate conclusion of the passing of the key to the House of David was to be with its receipt by the Christ, the Messiah. He is still the ultimate holder of the key of forgiveness and welcome to the kingdom of God. A welcome to sharing in the divine dance of love.

Not unlike the promise inherent in the key and lock we each received from Dad, we will always find a place of safety and welcome in the kingdom to which Jesus holds and shares the key.

This week, let’s be especially mindful of the responsibility to share in the ministry of Peter and the disciples, reaching out to those in need, caring for each other, and joyfully proclaiming the good news of the Father’s love and mercy for each and every one of us as we experience this love in our lives too.

Peace and joy be with you.

Readings for the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle A