Readings:
Romans 10:1-21
Office of the Keys
Our Lord in the Gospel gives the account that He breathes on the Apostles and they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus then tells them that whatever sins the forgive will be forgiven and whatever sins they retain are retained. (John 20:22-23) This is really a weighty matter that was presented to the Apostles. These chosen 12 men where meant to be witnesses to the life of Jesus Christ and all that was done. They were called by God to a particular vocation, that of an Apostle or witness to Jesus Christ.
In giving the "Keys to the Kingdom", Jesus Christ was giving the Church on earth authority to teach and administer the Sacraments. Notice this same gift is not given to all, but only the Apostles. The Apostles were those that were called by God to this holy ministry. They were from the royal priesthood of all believers, but were meant to a servant of Christ's body here on earth. The Pastor (Apostle) is there to preach the Law and Gospel to the Church and to administer the Sacraments faithfully. The Pastor's have this particular office, not because of some intrinsic holiness, but because they have been called to faithfully preach the Word to the people, offer absolution in the stead and by the command of Jesus Christ. And to celebrate the holy mysteries of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, both of which bring the Word of God directly to you in a physical manner.
The Pastor role is to bring the Good News to everyone, but they do it through the particular manner of preaching and administering the Sacraments. We are each called everyday as part of the royal priesthood to give a reason for the hope that is in us. If we confess Jesus Christ before the world, He will profess us before His Father in Heaven. We must be about telling others how Jesus Christ is the only hope that one can have of eternal life. He alone is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.
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