RITE & REASON: People will suggest all sorts of criteria for the office, but the Lord has only one.The surprising announcement of the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI has sent many hurrying to the history books to find a precedent, others to the books of canon law of the Catholic Church to find out what happens next, and others still to open a betting book on who will be the next pontiff.
Perhaps the most helpful book to turn to in this situation is the book of the gospels, where the apostle Peter is clearly given a role which underlies the Petrine ministry.
There are three texts, I suggest, that may provide useful insights into the role of Peter.
The first text is from Luke’s gospel: “Put out into the deep water and pay out your nets for a catch. ‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so I will pay out the nets.’ And when they had done this they netted a huge number of fish . . .
“When Simon Peter saw this he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, ‘Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man.’ But Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch.’ ” (Lk. 5.4-11).
The two most significant aspects of this exchange are that, firstly, the total initiative is with Jesus – it is he who, unbidden, approaches Peter, who orders the casting of nets and who invites Peter to follow him – and, secondly, the protest of Peter, in which he insists that this is not something for which he is prepared.
Lord’s choice
The passage emphasises that it is the Lord who calls, and it is the Lord who will empower Peter to follow. Choosing is the Lord’s work, and is not dependent on the perceived worth of the one called.
The second text to reflect on is the famous Tu es Petrus from Matthew’s gospel. “‘Who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied . . . ‘I say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my church. And the gates of the underworld can never overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of Heaven.’ ” (Mt. 16.13-19).
This passage lies behind the Catholic understanding of the Petrine ministry as being both focus and instrument of unity. It is quite clear it is the unity of the Lord, and it is the Lord who will preserve that community, but Peter does have a specific role in enabling that community to function.
The third text is from the end of John’s gospel. “Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Do you love me?’ He answered, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Look after my sheep.’ Then he said to him a third time, ‘Do you love me?’ Peter was hurt that he asked him a third time and said ‘Lord, you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’ ” (Jn. 28.15-17).
Care of the sheep
John plays out a scene with Peter that mirrors his denial of Jesus from the Passion. Three times Peter is questioned, three times he responds. This too is a scene that is a commissioning – Peter is entrusted with the care of the sheep.
It is clear again, however, that Jesus speaks deliberately of “my sheep” and “my lambs”.
Peter is entrusted with the Lord’s flock, and that is essential to any understanding of his role.
The other essential element in this exchange is that there is a sole criterion required of Peter for ministry by Jesus: “Do you love me?”
No doubt there will be many offering all sorts of criteria in examining candidates for the office of bishop of Rome, but the Lord, who does the calling, has only one.
* Prof Michael A Hayes is president of Mary Immaculate College, Limerick