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| Statue of St. Peter Arnolfo di Cambio, c.1300 St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City State |
Simon Peter said in reply,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Matthew 16:16-19
Rome has always held a special place in my heart. Neal and I were there on our honeymoon, and through a series of unexpected events, found ourselves vacationing there with Luke when he was about 16 months old. This picture was taken on our trip there. Sunday Mass at St. Peter's is mostly in Latin, but with each intercession of the Prayer of the Faithful said in a different language. Luke had many developmental issues, and at the Mass we attended, the only English prayer was for the healing of sick children. Prayers were answered -- it was in our hotel in Rome that week he finally pulled himself up and attempted to cruise.
This week, all eyes are on Rome as the College of Cardinals enters the Conclave and elects a new leader. I fully admit, I find the whole situation strange. Not so much because of Benedict XVI's resignation, but because I'm still really getting used to him as the Pope -- for most of my life, the word "Pope" meant "John Paul II." There are so many issues facing my Church, and she needs a person who can lead us out of this dark time. I am praying for all the men charged with deciding a new leader, and that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide them. May the man chosen be as solid as Peter, the rock, and one who will be a strong foundation for the Church to continue to build upon.
UPDATE 3/13
Habemus Papem! God Bless Pope Francis!
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I think of Peter when I repeatedly do the same thing wrong. It is encouraging that Christ knew Peter would deny Him three times, yet He still loved him.
ReplyDeleteYour memories of Rome and prayers answered there are beautiful.
Meg,
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to Sunday Stillness. I too pray for the Catholic Church and for God to lead them exactly where He wants them to go. And for them to listen.
Blessings to you,
Janis
Thank you for linking up with The weekend Brew. I am praying for the Catholic Church, for God's chosen leader for him to be directly in God's will.
ReplyDelete