KEY TO HEAVEN

Matthew 16:19

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.

I wonder how Peter reacted when the Lord gave him, not just a key to a house or a key to a carriage. Rather, he was given the key to heaven that “Whatever (he) bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever (he) loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” He must be struck by awe, thinking what Jesus means by that. He must have stood there for some time, trying to understand what’s the real meaning of this Key to heaven.

But he would understand it as the time goes by. That Christ’s passion, death and resurrection is the key to heaven, not just for His disciples, but for all of us. While it is true that Christ did confer authority on Peter, it is also true that this authority was not unique to Peter, nor was it supreme over the other apostles and the entire church. The power of the keys was granted to the whole church to be exercised in the forgiveness of sins. The apostle Peter was the first to open the way of salvation by the preaching of the gospel, first to the Jews at Pentecost and later on to the Gentiles.

We are given the Key to Heaven, through St. Peter. As committed Christians, we should proudly hang the Key around our necks for the world to see. Be more aware of our commitment and therefore less likely to put down the key.

If you die today, is the Key with you to unlock Heaven’s gate?

Let us pray +

Lord Jesus, You have given us the Key to Heaven through our first pope, St. Peter. May we always have this key with us and forever keep it in our hearts so upon reaching Heaven, we would be able to enter and join You forever in God’s eternal glory and love.

Amen +

Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands.