Christ gave Simon the name Cephas which means Rock. This new name indicates a task, a preeminence among the disciples. Peter was chosen not because of his personal merit but because of the mission Christ entrusted to him which must be fulfilled with faithfulness and love.
Just like his master, Christ, the Good Shepherd, Peter has the power to save the faithful from death and to communicate to them divine life. The keys entrusted to him that binds and looses refers to the “capacity to exercise disciplinary power of admit ting or excluding those he thinks fit. Also in his administration of the Church, he makes necessary decisions in questions of doctrinal belief and moral conduct. The verdict he delivers and the pronouncements he makes will be ratified by God in heaven” (footnote Jerusalem Bible). This promise holds also for the successors of Peter because Christ intends to provide his Church’s future a regime that will not collapse with Peter’s death.
This is not an easy task that is why we should constantly pray for our Pope, the present day Peter. Let us also listen to him because he is the Vicar of Christ. By listening and obeying him, we also obey Christ.
