14/04/2023

Today we read how Peter and John were detained by the Temple authorities. They were surrounded by the elders, Sadducees and Pharisees and Peter, who is now a new man, spoke sincerely without fear. I always am flummoxed by the use of the word "name" in these Biblical contexts. I bless myself "in the "name"of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and Jesus denied that he cast out devils in the "name" of  Beelzebub.

Peter is filled the Holy Spirit and tells his interrogators that "Jesus" is the only "name" by which we can be saved. Peter, himself Jesus' literal foundation stone for his Church tells us that the "name" of Jesus is the keystone  that was rejected. Peter is not his own authority for this. He is not speaking in his own person, his own name, but is inspired by God.

It seems then that  that "name" is "person" or "being". Peter speaks in Jesus'"name" so it is the living "Christ" that is being interrogated again by the High Priests. It is the living Christ who is ready to bring us all to be with him in new life and new creation. 

No one has a monopoly on the "name" of Jesus. "No-one can come to the Father except through me" does not confine our God to the institution he founded. The first three centuries of the Church were lived out in the Glory of the Resurrection, coming to an understanding of Jesus' mission  and establishing what it was that they had received from the Apostles, but most of all the  conviction that Jesus would soon return bringing about the Final Judgement and the End Days. 

In a remarkably short time, however, it seems that her main function came to be maintaining the human institution and its status quo symbolised by the power of the"Keys" and not by the total love for Father, Son and Holy Spirit and selfless love of our neighbour that is the way, truth and life  of Jesus'  "Name".

Dear Lord you know me. Help me to see myself as you see me. Let me see the hidden recesses of my being where Satan tricks me into trying to hide from you as did our first parents in the Garden. May Mary and all the Church Triumphant pray for the sinners of the Church on earth and in Purgatory that we might accept the Mercy that is showered down on us.